ALREADY in the Isle of Man Tournament's record books for lifting the International Football Festival Trophy on five occasions in the past, Wrexham last night conceded the quickest ever goal in the competition's 25 year history.

But they eventually emerged victorious against First Division outfit Burnley in the winner-takes-all-clash at Peel to decide the Group B team going through to Saturday's final.

The Clarets, who had scraped a win on penalties against Blackpool in their opening match, were certainly quicker out of the blocks in their second outing and were ahead after just 32 seconds when goalkeeper Paul Whitfield failed to reach Dean West's cross and Ian Moore executed an overhead kick to steer the ball into an unguarded net.

But the Welsh side were right back in the match after 11 minutes when Chris Armstrong was held back by Fabrice Richard and Premiership referee Neale Barry pointed straight to the penalty spot.

Armstrong himself converted the kick to record his first goal since returning to the Racecourse and the former Spurs striker, looking full of running, might have doubled his tally eight minutes later.

Burnley keeper Brian Jensen came a long way but scuffed an attempted clearance and Armstrong's first-time volley was heading for the net until Graham Branch managed to block the ball.

But Wrexham's fans did not have long to wait for the second goal and it duly arrived in the 25th minute when Craig Morgan flicked on Darren Ferguson's corner and Dennis Lawrence applied the final touch at the far post with a firm header.

And the situation looked even more promising for the Second Division outfit when they went further ahead three minutes before the break.

This time Steve Thomas was the provider with a fine cross, which was met by Hector Sam whose powerful header gave Jensen no chance.

Burnley were on the ropes and Armstrong should have added a fourth almost immediately but he drove the ball straight at the goalkeeper following more good work by Sam.

The Trinidad international, who has had little opportunity in the past 12 months to showcase his talents, added Wrexham's fourth goal eight minutes into the second half.

Jensen did remarkably well to stop a powerful shot from Matt Crowell but he was unable to hold on to the ball and Sam was quickly in to force it over the line.

Little had been seen of Burnley as an attacking force but their pride was stung and Whitfield, who had been under-employed since his opening minute, blunder spread himself well to deny Mo Camara before Ferguson made way for teenager Mark Jones.

Paul Barrett and Chris Llewellyn soon joined Jones, replacing Armstrong and Jim Whitley, as manager Denis Smith took advantage of the score-line to give as many people as possible a taste of the action.

Burnley took advantage and for the first time enjoyed some good pressure but the Wrexham defence held firm and when Moore got on the end of a cross from Lee Roche, Whitfield made a fine save.

Having used their three permitted substitutes Wrexham played out the final five minutes with only 10 men after Lawrence limped off with what appeared to be an ankle injury.