Ten miles separate Burnley from Blackburn, town to town, but it had been 43 years since their respective clubs had met in the top flight. At Ewood Park yesterday, more than four decades of mutual loathing rose to the fore in a froth of anger and disdain.

They have played each other in the interim. Blackburn won their previous league encounter, in 2001, 5-0 and commemorative T-shirts had been printed last week to mark the occasion. Blackburn also won their most recent game, 2-1 in an FA Cup fifth-round replay in 2005.

Yet to go head to head at the top table, the Barclays Premier League, to decide the unofficial championship of East Lancashire had gripped the former cotton-mill communities like little before. As the 60-strong convoy of buses carrying 2,800 Burnley fans arrived at the ground, the tension was palpable.

However, sense — plus heavy policing and stewarding — prevailed. Blackburn held their nerve the better amid the backdrop of animosity and Burnley, the Premier League newcomers, slunk away. Perhaps they had expected as much. “Beaten but still above you” read a banner unfurled at the end.

Blackburn, though, have closed the gap to two points. “It’s been a great day, not just for the fans but for us as well,” Sam Allardyce, the Blackburn manager, said. “Derby games can pass by ordinarily, but I don’t think you can complain about that. But it did get a bit scary for us towards the end.”

Within five minutes the Burnley supporters corralled at the Darwen End had had reason to halt their outpouring of bile — only momentarily. Wade Elliott collected André Bikey’s pass and Robbie Blake dashed into space to unleash a 25-yard drive that swerved past Paul Robinson.

A Burnley fan among the home contingent in the Jack Walker Stand could not contain his joy and, after a minor skirmish, was led away. He missed the equaliser when Morten Gamst Pedersen’s cross was laid back by Franco Di Santo for David Dunn to guide home.

Dunn, a Blackburn devotee since birth, was the only survivor from that previous league meeting in 2001 and by half-time yesterday Blackburn were more than halfway to another five-goal haul. Burnley could not cope with the aerial bombardment, with even Brian “The Beast” Jensen, the Burnley goalkeeper, unusually timid. Jensen was at fault for Blackburn’s second goal, when Christopher Samba nodded back Dunn’s free kick.

Jensen went for the punch, bumped into Stephen Jordan, his team-mate, and Di Santo and fell to the floor. Chris Foy, the referee, judged no foul and Di Santo took advantage of Graham Alexander’s feeble attempt at a clearance.

“I’m convinced that Di Santo went into Jordan and that put Brian off,” Owen Coyle, the Burnley manager, said. “Brian’s a big lad but if you’re knocked off balance, you’re going to go over. I felt the marginal decisions went against us all afternoon, but it is a difficult job for the referee, especially at the pace the game is played these days.”

It was the Blackburn fans’ turn to pour scorn on their foes and, before long, the white-and-blue brigade could gloat again when Pascal Chimbonda finished off a slick move involving Keith Andrews and Pedersen. Like Di Santo’s, it was his first goal for the club.

The frantic tempo could not continue into the second half. Apart from the steady accumulation of bookings, for rash rather than vicious challenges, and a late goal from Chris Eagles, which caused near-panic among the locals, Blackburn did enough to condemn Burnley to their fifth away defeat out of five. Their survival in the top flight may depend on a continuation of their excellent record at Turf Moor, home sweet home.

Blackburn were happy. “You could see how much the win meant to our fans,” Dunn said. “I’ve lost my voice, I think they have as well. But it was more important to get three points.”

Ryan Nelsen, their captain, had a victory with which to mark his 32nd birthday and Allardyce turns 55 today. They had better enjoy it while they can. Successive away matches against Chelsea and Manchester United are unlikely to bring too much celebration.

Blackburn (4-1-4-1): P Robinson 6 L Jacobsen 5 C Samba 6 R Nelsen 6 P Chimbonda 6 S Nzonzi 6 E-H Diouf 5 K Andrews 7 D Dunn 7 M G Pedersen 6 F Di Santo 6. Substitutes: J Roberts (for Di Santo, 76min), B Emerton (for Diouf, 82), G Givet (for Chimbonda, 87). Not used: J Brown, B McCarthy, D Hoilett, M Salgado. Next: Chelsea (a).

Burnley (4-1-1-2-2): B Jensen 4 T Mears 4 C Carlisle 4 S Caldwell 4 S Jordan 4 A Bikey 5 G Alexander 4 W Elliott 5 R Blake 6 D Nugent 4 S Fletcher 5. Substitutes: C Eagles 5 (for Fletcher, 60min), S Thompson (for Nugent, 72), K McDonald (for Bikey, 78). Not used: D Penny, C Kalvenes, M Duff, J Gudjonsson. Next: Wigan Athletic (h).

Referee: C Foy Attendance: 26,689