It was a joy to watch some of the football on show

"The fans' response, certainly from Burnley, was something that won't be forgotten for a long time," Coleman said after the game. "To come out at such short notice and in such foul weather we are very grateful. Everyone should be applauded because they are true football fans."

Owen Coyle, who was the instigator of the game, said: "To get over 5,000 at the game, given how poor the weather conditions were, speaks volumes for everybody involved. On a better night who's to say we might have had six or seven thousand but I'm delighted for everybody who came along and thank you for that.

"There was some good quality football on show and I'm just delighted at how the whole night went. Everybody played their part. Accrington's fans came along and Burnley's fans came out in their numbers.

"There was some great football and there were some great goals, and it was one of those nights you get in football. Everyone was here for the same cause, singing from the same hymn sheet, and it was an enjoyable evening."

Coyle heard his name chanted by both sets of fans at one point and he added: "It's always nice people singing your name but I think that was just a thank you for the game. As a manager you are a figurehead but I have to say an awful lot of work went in from an awful lot of people and it's very much a united front here.

"Accrington played their part and we are just delighted we could play a part in such a worthy cause. It was a joy to watch some of the football on show."

Coyle spoke about some of his players afterwards and he was full of praise for his two wide men Chris Eagles and Fernando Guerrero. He said: "We passed the ball so well and created numerous opportunities which I was please about and I think we saw how talented we are in the wide positions with Guerrero and Eagles. It really was a joy to watch some of the football on show.

"A lot of the supporters would have seen Guerrero for bits and piecs but they saw him for 75 minutes or so and no doubt they will have gone away raving about him because he's such a talented player.

"At 19 years of age he will only continue to get better. He is picking up his English and when that gets better we will be in a position to pass on more information and hopefully make him an even better player."

Coyle also gave latest signing David Nugent a run out. "It was to be expected that he was a little ring rusty but his movement and awareness was terrific," Coyle said.

"There's no doubt he needs some match time but he created opportunities and on another night he will score a few so I was delighted with his contribution, as I was with a few others.

"That was very pleasing because I have said they have all got their part to play in the first team. They know that and that will be sooner rather than later."