Cunning Clarets thwarted by Delap

Delap delivered his 10th assist of the season for Stoke at Turf Moor

Burnley's attempts to nullify the long-throw threat of Stoke's Rory Delap in Wednesday's league clash backfired.

The Clarets moved the advertising boards closer to the pitch in an effort to disrupt Delap's run up and delivery.

However, the ploy failed when Mamady Sidibe flicked on one of Delap's trademark missiles for Tuncay to score the opener in a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor.

"We noticed what they had done as soon as we came out but we got on with it," said Stoke boss Tony Pulis.

His Burnley counterpart Brian Laws had the hoardings moved to within five feet of the touchline in a cunning effort to try and counter Delap and his not-so-secret weapon of mass assistance.

But the 33-year-old simply ran around the lengthy barrier to provide his 10th throw-in assist of the season.

606: DEBATE What did you make of Burnley's ploy?

"They have to do what they have to do. You take it and get on with it," added Pulis.

"I don't care where a goal comes from. It is always satisfying scoring.

"Because he was a javelin thrower as well, Rory has that technique obviously down to a treat."