It's been a long time coming, but a stunning goal from second half substitute Robbie Blake was enough to hand Owen Coyle his first Turf Moor win.

Blake, who struck in the last Turf Moor victory against Norwich City on October 23, superbly volleyed home Wade Elliott's 66th minute cross to earn victory against a poor Plymouth Argyle side who offered precious little.

Coyle made four changes to the side that gave Premiership leaders Arsenal a tough test in the FA Cup last Sunday.

Brian Jensen, David Unsworth, Steve Jones and Joey Gudjonsson came in for Gabor Kiraly, suspended duo Chris McCann and Kyle Lafferty and striker Blake, who was rested.

There was no place in the 16 for Ade Akinbiyi, who pulled out with a bad back at the 11th hour.

It was a nervous start for the visitors and Elliott showed Burnley's attacking intent with a dipping effort inside the first couple of minutes that landed on the top of Luke McCormick's net.

It was a real midfield battle as neither side was able to take real control of the game.

Andy Gray had a chance to fire Burnley ahead on 17 minutes, but was unable to get on the end of another first-time cross from Elliott on the Burnley right.

Icelandic midfielder Joey Gudjonsson then had a rasping effort which dropped just over the bar from 30 yards on 26 minutes as the Clarets started to stamp their mark on the game.

Elliott was proving to be the main outlet for the Clarets throughout the first half and again on the half hour mark he did well to get to the by-line, but this time his cross was steered wide by Gudjonsson.

The former Bournemouth man dug out yet another inch perfect cross just a minute later, but frustratingly Steve Jones couldn't get any power or direction on his header, which floated wide again.

The visitors' only real reply came ten minutes from the break, when centre back Gary Sawyer tried his luck with an effort from 40 yards which was high, wide and not very handsome.

It wasn't the most entertaining of halves, but Coyle would have been delighted with his side's efforts at the break.

The Clarets again dominated after the break and only a last-gasp challenge in the six yard box prevented Jones from opening the scoring after a shot from Andy Gray was palmed away by McCormick.

Jones did have the ball in the net on 56 minutes, but was correctly flagged offside by the referee's assistant.

That was to be his last contribution and he made way for Blake seconds later as Owen Coyle looked to shake up his team.

The introduction of Blake certainly gave the Clarets a spark and it was the former Bradford City man who gave Burnley the lead on 66 minutes, expertly turning the ball past McCormick after Elliott left Lee Hodges for dead near the corner flag.

Blake almost doubled his and Burnley's tally on 71 minutes when his stinging drive from 40 yards was well saved by McCormick.

As the onslaught continued Graham Alexander then tried his luck from the edge of the box from the resulting corner and the young Argyle keeper did well to save.

The Clarets continued to keep possession well and create half chances, but none were enough to test McCormick in the visitors' goal as the clock ticked away towards Burnley's long overdue home win.

But the second goal home fans craved was not needed as the Clarets cruised to the whistle.

Burnley: Jensen, Alexander, Varga, Caldwell, Unsworth, Elliott, Harley, O'Connor, Gudjonsson (Spicer 90), Jones (Blake 56), Gray.
Subs: Kiraly, Spicer, O'Connor, Jordan.
Booked: Varga 45

Plymouth Argyle: McCormick, Connolly, Hodges, Seip, Nalis (Folly 75), Abdou (Smith 84), Halmosi, Sawyer, Summerfield, Jutkiewicz (Fallon 75), Easter.
Subs: Larrieu, Fallon.
Booked: Connolly 40

Attendance: 14,162