Nugent grabs brace to defeat Black Cats

Deadline day signing Nugent rose to head home Wade Elliott's 67th-minute free-kick nine minutes after replacing Martin Paterson - then struck again in the 86th minute to seal the points.

Graham Alexander's 12th-minute penalty had put the home side in front before Andy Reid's cross set up Darren Bent to slot home the equaliser six minutes before half-time.

Alexander was served up the chance to fire home the 12th minute spot-kick after Anton Ferdinand was guilty of needlessly tripping the impressive Elliott in the box.

Burnley came close to adding a second in the 19th minute when Alexander caught the Black Cats defence sleeping at a set-piece and Martin Paterson almost stole in at the far post.

Andre Bikey's hesitation let in Bent to hook a shot straight at Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen in the 21st minute but the visitors were struggling to maintain their early momentum.

However, Bruce's men drew back on level terms in the 39th minute when Andy Reid played a superb delayed pass into the box which found Bent in space to slot the ball past Jensen.

Campbell almost put the visitors ahead in the 52nd minute when his low drive was blocked well at close range by Jensen after a neat lay-off by Steed Malbranque. But with clear chances at a premium both sides looked to their benches with Kenwyne Jones on for the visitors and Nugent given his chance to steal the show.

After Elliott had come close with a looping effort which just cleared Gordon's crossbar, the stage was handed over for Nugent to snatch another famous Clarets victory. Nugent marked his stunning home start in the 67th minute when he rose to meet a deep Elliott cross from the right and headed Burnley's second past Gordon.

And Nugent's second four minutes from time was even better as once again he was fed the ball by Elliott before turning inside the box and firing home a curling shot.