Kyle Lafferty and Wade Elliott both ended dream weeks with the goals that kept Burnley's play off hopes bubbling away.

Winger Elliott, who signed a new three-year deal on Thursday, opened the scoring against the Tykes with a simple finish.

And Northern Ireland starlet Lafferty, who scored a brace for his country in midweek, bagged a brilliant second for the Clarets before half time.

Brian Howard soon pulled a goal back for the FA Cup semi finalists, but in atrocious conditions Owen Coyle's side kept their cool to stay in touch with the top six.

In monsoon-type weather that deteriorated as the game wore on Joey Gudjonsson, who replaced Ade Akinbiyi in the starting line-up, had the first effort from 40 yards that didn't trouble Barnsley keeper Luke Steele.

Steven Caldwell, the only other change for the Clarets, then had a header cleared off the line on seven minutes after the first corner of the game.

Brian Jensen was left scrambling across his goal on 12 minutes when Lewin Nyatanga's shot from the edge of the area looked to be heading goalwards only to bounce inches wide of the upright.

The Clarets thought they had opened the scoring on 20 minutes when Caldwell headed a Blake free kick powerfully past Steele.

But referee Colin Webster deemed that the skipper had taken a ride on the back of the Barnsley defender and cancelled the strike out.

Nardiello soon capitalised on some sluggish defending from Burnley and broke free from Caldwell but, despite the cheers of the travelling Barnsley fans, the striker fired wide when he really should have done better.

The Clarets finally did take the lead on the half-hour when Blake's sublime ball released Elliott, who celebrated signing his new contract with a cool finish.

Lafferty then added to the Clarets lead on 36 minutes with a goal of the season contender. A clever flick on the edge of the box allowed him to drift inside his marker and unleash a superb right foot curler into the far corner.

Barnsley captain Howard grabbed a goal back for the visitors with just two minutes of the half left.

Howard, who scored during Barnsley's shock FA Cup win at Anfield, fired home from just two yards after a Nardiello ball across the goal line was well saved by Jensen.

As half time came, the weather worsened and before both teams re-emerged, refeeree Colin Webster spent a few minutes testing the roll of the ball on a saturated pitch.

Thankfully, with an abandonement a real possibility, the rain relented for a while and both sides started brightly.

Bt it was the Clarets who had the first real chance of the half when Blake fired a shot just wide on 53 minutes.

Three minutes later and Blake was on target, but his stinging shot from distance was gathered by Steele at the second attempt.

The Clarets continued to push forwards and perhaps should have added a third goal on 66 minutes, but Elliott dragged his shot wide after great link play between Lafferty and Blake.

Former Preston North End striker Jonathan Macken almost dragged Barnsley back level with the clock ticking down, but thankfully his dipping shot hit the crossbar and bounced over.

Next it was Burnley's turn to strike the woodwork when Joey Gudjonsson's stunning drive from 35 yards hit the outside of the post.

Barnsley tried to pile on the pressure late on, but the Clarets defence held firm and Owen Coyle's men celebrated a crucial 2-1 win.

Burnley: Jensen, Alexander, Caldwell, Unsworth, Harley, O'Connor, Gudjonsson, McCann, Elliott (Mahon 90), Lafferty (Akinbiyi 73), Blake (Cole 78).
Subs: Kiraly, Randall.

Barnsley: Steele, Foster, Souza, Hassell, Macken, Kozluk, Nardiello, Campbell-Ryce (Coulson 77), Leon (Odejayi 63), Nyatanga, Howard.
Subs: Ferenczi, Devaney, von Homoet.
Booked: Foster (foul, 65), Souza (unsporting behaviour, 76)

Attendance: 11,915