STEVEN Caldwell's second goal for the Clarets got Owen Coyle's men back to winning ways on the south coast.

The skipper sunk Southampton with a first half stoppage time header - and deepened the gloom on the south coast.

But the Clarets ninth away win of the season ensured this would be their best points total for six years as they bounced in style from last week's defeat to Sheffield United.

Burnley made two changes, with Clarke Carlisle returning to the heart of defence following his three-match suspension.

David Unsworth stepped down, while Ade Akinbiyi took the shirt of Kyle Lafferty, who is recuperating following an emergency operation to remove his appendix.

Winger Wade Elliott, a native of Southampton, was booked inside a minute as a crucial game for the hosts kicked off.

James O'Connor had the first chance, firing over following good work from Stephen Jordan and Robbie Blake on the left.

Akinbiyi then beat the offside trap on the opposite flank, but his deep cross was far too heavy for the lurking Blake.

And as the confident start continued, O'Connor again failed to direct the radar with another wayward drive from distance.

Southampton, desperately seeking a victory to ease their relegation worries, slowly found their feet though and began to exert pressure midway through the half.

They earned their fifth corner in the 25th minute, but Chris Lucketti could not keep his header under the crossbar.

And just after the half hour, Inigo Idiakez rifled a 30-yard drive inches wide of Brian Jensen's right hand post.

It was all a little desperate from the Saints against a resolute and determined Clarets back line.

But as the half came to a close, the game suddenly exploded into life.

Stern John saw Jensen save with his feet in the 44th minute, but the Trinidadian was relieved to see a late offside flag raised to save his blushes.

Jensen kept the scoreline intact seconds later with a terrific parry from Andrew Surman's fierce angled drive.

But as stoppage tame came around, the Clarets struck. Chris McCann's firm header from Blake's free kick was superbly turned over by Richard Wright.

But from the resulting corner, the former England keeper had no chance as Blake found Caldwell, who was left criminally unmarked to head home from point-blank range.

Matchwinner: Caldwell

There was just time to shell-shocked Southampton to kick off before the whistle sounded to give the Clarets an interval lead.

The start to the second half was just as explosive as, within a minute, Bradley Wright-Phillips saw his toe-poke past Jensen bobble off the inside of the post before Caldwell hacked the loose ball clear.

The tension was palpable as results elsewhere came in to deepen the Saints' precarious position at the foot of the table.

And heads were in hands 10 minutes into the half when John mis-kicked when well placed from Wright Phillips' right wing cross.

Idiakez and Wright-Phillips both rammed a 25-yarders straight down Jensen's throat as the Clarets soaked up the pressure.

Changes for either side brought a welcome respite with a quarter of the game remaining.

And Burnley carved out a wonderful chance to seal the game with 20 minutes remaining.

Robbie Blake turned his marker inside out and fired the ball into the six-yard box, where Andrew Cole was only denied by a magnificent last ditch challenge.

Back to the other end, Jensen made his best save yet with 18 minutes remaining, diving low to his right to turn aside Idiakez's goalbound drive.

Carlisle's towering header from another Blake corner was cleared off the line as the ebb and flow continued unabated.

But try as they might, Southampton just could not make the breakthrough. John somehow failed to score when sub Jhon Viafara's drilled right wing cross found him three yards out.

With black humour, the giant scoreboard suddenly flashed up Southampton's next game away to West Brom.

And there was a noticeable absence of smiles among the home fans as Jensen saved his best until last with a breathtaking save from Youssef Safri in stoppage time to secure the points.

Burnley: Jensen, Alexander, Caldwell, Carlisle, Jordan, Elliott, J O'Connor (Gudjonsson 64), McCann, Blake (Spicer 90), Akinbiyi, Cole (Mahon 79)
Sub: Kiraly, Duff

Booked: Elliott 1, Alexander 27, Caldwell 70

Southampton: R Wright, J Wright, Lucketti, Perry, Surman, Licka (Dyer 64), Safri, Idiakez (Viafara 79), Euell, Wright-Phillips (Saganowski 79), John.
Subs: Davis, Pericard.

Ref: Paul Taylor

Att: 21,762