ON THIS DAY: Graham Alexander hits the spot to give Clarets upper hand over Reading in Championship play-off semi-final
The ex-Scotland international, who had joined from Preston North End, beat Marcus Hahnemann from the spot in the 84th minute.
Alexander, who had helped to seal Burnley's place in the top six when netting two penalties against Bristol City just six days earlier, sent the American stopper the wrong way to clock up his 11th goal of the campaign.
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Hide AdRobbie Blake and Kevin McDonald were off target for the home side in the first half as the Royals went closest to breaking the deadlock.
Brian Jensen saved well from Jay Tabb and Martin Paterson cleared Kevin Doyle's effort off the line after Andre Bikey's header was blocked from a corner.
The first leg was heading for a stalemate until Bikey handed Owen Coyle's side the initiative late on.
The Cameroonian defender was penalised for a shirt pull on Steven Thompson inside the area, which led to Alexander's opener.
And then the Royals defender left the pitch in disgrace as he kicked out at Robbie Blake, leaving referee Martin Atkinson with no alternative than to brandish the red card.