Steve Sidwell's late double act silenced the Withdean whingers who are undermining Albion's battle to beat the drop.

His pointsaving brace put to shame the so-called supporters whose stick for certain players has got under Steve Coppell's skin as well.

The moaning minority at the Seagulls' temporary home has been a recurring theme, even during the rampant success of the last two seasons.

It agitated Micky Adams and Peter Taylor and now the naive critics are disgracefully targeting individuals in Albion's hour of need.

Coppell revealed: "At 2-0 down even with a bit of edginess from the crowd and some criticism I wasn't keen on I still heard people on the pitch shouting 'come on, we can do this'.

"I thought that was magnificent testimony to the character of this team and individuals in it.

"As long as we maintain that spirit the club may go down but at least they can go down with hands on heart saying we have given everything trying to stay there.

"There has been no financial investment in this squad of players and yet they are battling with everything they have got.

"The fans want to see the team win. I just felt at 2-0 down there was some personal criticism of some players who had given everything. When it does become like that it's not nice."

Absolutely right. It's a passionate game and you cannot prevent paying customers venting their anger when things are not going according to plan, but sniping at individual players is out of order.

They should take a lead from Albion's magnificent away following and a reality check.

Ian Moore, who came straight off the bench to put Stockport 2-0 up with his second touch, cost Burnley £1 million from Stockport two years ago.

That illustrates the extent to which Albion are fighting against the odds to stay in the First Division.

Coppell has decided the best route out of trouble, for the time being at least, is to play with five at the back instead of starting with the 4-4-2 formation he really favours.

Some would have preferred to see the more attack-minded Paul Brooker replacing broken toe victim Simon Rodger on Saturday, rather than Charlie Oatway, but Coppell's caution is justified in the circumstances.

Albion shipped 11 goals playing 4-4-2 in his first three matches in charge. Since adding Robbie Pethick to the centre of defence at Wolves they have let in 13 in 11 games.

Another valid reason for the current system is the freedom it gives Sidwell. Coppell said: "Last year at Brentford we played him in a 4-4-2, which means more defensive responsibilities.

"The way we are playing at the moment he is the one released to go forward. We give him that extra leeway."

There are still 60 points to play for. Albion's plight is not desperate enough yet to throw caution to the wind and risk poundings from better quality opponents.

Coppell, once he has what he regards as his best 11 available, will probably revert to type.

We should trust a manager whose track record has consistently demonstrated sound judgement in the face of adversity.

The five goals Sidwell has scored in the last ten games have all counted for something in terms of points, except for at Nottingham Forest. It's a vital contribution given Albion's position.

One of his forward runs on Saturday should have produced his first home goal as early as the second minute, but Sidwell shot wastefully wide from Bobby Zamora's pass.

Burnley's muscular approach, which prompted bookings for Gareth Taylor and Ian Cox in the opening 25 minutes and 14 free-kicks against them in the first half alone, knocked the Seagulls out of their stride once that early chance went begging.

Michel Kuipers, restricted by the recurrence of thigh trouble he suffered at Norwich, made smart saves from Taylor and Glen Little but could do nothing a minute from the break about the latter's follow-up after stopping his first effort.

Coppell called that a "punch in the kidneys" and when his former Palace assistant Stan Ternent made an inspired substitution with 20 minutes left the game seemed to be up.

Moore, within a minute of replacing namesake Alan, rammed in the rebound after his angled header had been blocked by a combination of the gallant Kuipers and a post.

Albion, with Brooker on for Nathan Jones and Gary Hart for Oatway, were given a glimmer of hope when Sidwell cut inside from Richard Carpenter's crossfield pass to crack in a low right-foot drive from the edge of the box.

The Seagulls were still back on the bottom of the table, with Stoke and Sheffield Wednesday drawing at that stage, but hope was extraordinarily fulfilled a minute later when Sidwell forced Zamora's cross over the line.

Coppell said: "Football bravery is often talked about in terms of playing with injuries or going into tackles, but for me it is wanting the ball when you are 2-0 down and wanting to still pass and play in a certain style when you are being beaten."

Let's hope the Withdean fans enter the New Year against Wimbledon in more supportive mood.

Albion (5-3-2) Kuipers (gk) 8; Watson (rwb) 7; Mayo (cd) 7; Cullip (cd) 7; Oatway (lm) 6; Carpenter (cm) 7; Pethick (cd) 7; Jones (lwb) 6; Zamora (f) 7; Barrett (f) 7; Sidwell (rm) 9. Subs: Hart for Oatway (withdrawn, 70), Brooker for Jones (withdrawn, 75), Packham, Hinshelwood, Kitson.

Scorers: Sidwell (88, 89).

Bookings: Carpenter (22, foul); Watson (70, foul); Hart (85, foul).

Half-Time: Albion 0 Burnley 1.

Attendance: 6,502.

Fan's View: Jeff Greenfield-Capon (Hove).

A fantastic comeback after long periods of poor football. Clearly the substitutions made a difference.

Burnley were also a very poor side and although the point was gained in the dying seconds was it one gained or two points dropped?

Bobby Zamora looked jaded and I still think he doesn't look fully fit, Barrett played very well and it was encouraging to see Paul Kitson on the bench.

But to have any chance of survival the Albion must improve the service to the front two, whoever plays.

Wimbledon at home has to be the full three points. With the other sides down at the bottom picking up points it's going to be a fight to the finish.