In a complete contrast to Tuesday night's explosive start, a sluggish opening 15 minutes was ultimately the Clarets' downfall as they slipped to their first home league defeat of the season in front of the Sky TV cameras.

Goals from Bradley Wright-Phillips and Stern John put Southampton in control before a goal from Chris McCann on the half hour looked to give the Clarets some hope.

But a header from Stern John just after half time meant that Ade Akinbiyi's goal on 83 minutes was just a consolation as the Clarets lost 3-2.

Those looking for a repeat of the start against Norwich in mid-week were disappointed when Wright-Phillips put the visitors ahead after only two and a bit minutes.

The former Manchester City winger beat a rather flat-footed Burnley defence and took all the time he needed to fire past Gabor Kiraly.

That lead was almost doubled on nine minutes when John fire a great shot past Kiraly after a great turn on the edge of the box. But to the disbelief of the Saints striker, the ball hit both posts and bounced on the line before somehow staying out.

Things continued to work against the Clarets when boss Steve Cotterill was forced into his first change of the afternoon.

Captain Steve Caldwell, who looked to be struggling with the knock which ruled him out of Tuesday's win against Norwich, was replaced by David Unsworth only 10 minutes in.

Abd the woodwork again came to the Clarets rescue two minutes later when a ball over the top found Wright-Phillips, whose shot struck the outside of the post.

However, Jason Euell did double the Saints lead just seconds later, heading in a cross at the far post from former Burnley loanee Nathan Dyer.

McCann brought Burnley back into the game in explosive fashion on the half hour mark, taking down a knock on from Andy Gray, bursting through the centre of the Southampton defence and firing a great shot past the onrushing Kelvin Davis.

That was the shot in the arm Burnley needed and with the volume inside Turf Moor turned up a notch, the Clarets started to play with a little purpose and could have been level twice through Andy Gray. But his header and then wonderful curling shot just seconds later both went agonisingly wide of Davis' goal.

The Clarets also started the second half strongly, but it was Southampton who scored on 50 minutes with John heading home far too easily at the back post.

Two goals down again, Burnley set about their task and a free kick on 59 minutes wriggled through to Kyle Lafferty and Andy Gray, but it was the former whose shot was deflected over the bar.

Gray then went close to dragging the Clarets back into the game just after the hour mark, but his header after a great cross from Wade Elliott just spun wide of the far post.

After the frantic first half, the second for failed to live up to expectations with Southampton happy to sit back and protect their two-goal lead, whilst the Clarets were forced to settle for half chances and long-range efforts

But there was a glimmer of hope with seven minutes to play when Akinbiyi made a nuisance of himself in the Southampton box and fired the Clarets second goal of the evening.

The Clarets did force some late pressure, but it was a case of too little too late as they failed to force an equaliser.

Burnley: Kiraly, Alexander, Carlisle, Caldwell (Unsworth 10), Elliott (Akinbiyi 68), Spicer, McCann, Lafferty, Gray, Blake (Mahon 57), Jordan.
Subs: Jensen, Harley.

Booking: Akinbiyi 73

Southampton: Davis, Thomas, Wright-Phillips, Euell, Viafara, Dyer, Vignal, Idiakez (Surman 85), John (Rasiak 70), Dailly, Ifil.
Subs: Bialkowski, Saganowski, Skacel.

Attendance: 10,947