We came here hoping to get through into the next round

Last updated : 03 January 2010 By Tony Scholes
Two first half goals proved enough for Burnley, despite a late equaliser from the Franchise, but the home manager Paul Ince was pleased with his side's efforts and awarded them eleven out of ten.

"I've said to the players after the game that it's a pleasure to be a manager of that team. It was disappointing that two goals came from our mistakes, Dean Lewington and Mathieus Doumbe are our most experienced defenders and you can't make mistakes like that.

"I didn't think it was a penalty, Fletcher's made a meal of it, the referee was sucked in and Alexander doesn't really miss them. From there we were two down and yet we thought we were the better team.

"We had an early chance with Sam Baldock where he should have done better and that gave us the belief that we could compete with a Premier League outfit.

"I said if we could get the next one it could change things, but the timing was a little bit too late. I'm disappointed not to have won the game because we had the chances to do that - Alby, Chaddy, Peter Leven, Jude - they all had chances.

"But I can't fault any of them; the performance was absolutely eleven out of ten."

Ince continued: "We were under no pressure so what's the point in sitting back and trying to defend? I saw Wigan do it at Man United last week, they lost 5-0 but it should have been twelve. You've got to have a go at these teams and it worked well for us.

"We needed Lady Luck in the last five minutes today and we didn't get it, but we'll crack on again next week against Swindon.

"I know the results haven't gone the way we would have liked, but the last four performances have been outstanding. We've now got to do that on a consistent basis, week in and week out. We're getting there, but we've still got a long way to go."

For the first time since he became Burnley manager, Owen Coyle was not available for the press conference, instead attended by his assistant Sandy Stewart.

Needless to say most of the talk was about the manager's future and Stewart immediately confirmed: "Owen has not seen his family over Christmas and has to get to a flight to Scotland from Luton. If he did all the press he would miss the flight, so there's nothing to read into him not being here.

"The speculation is just the same as the stuff that linked him with the Celtic job in the summer. As of now, it remains speculation and until something happens, that's exactly what it is.

"I do know that Owen is very happy at Burnley. We have worked very hard and we think we have done a reasonable job here, so we are quite happy. Owen and I have a great partnership and we have worked together at St. Johnstone and Burnley.

"Hopefully that partnership will continue and right at this moment in time that's at Burnley Football Club. We love it here and we think we are taking the club forward and that's all we are interested in."

There was much interest in Coyle's after match salute to the fans, which was nothing like the 'Mark Hughes Wave' at Manchester City recently. Stewart quite rightly said: "Anybody who has been to Burnley knows that Owen does exactly the same to the fans after every game.

"He appreciated the support, especially when they have travelled a long distance, so that was just a thank you. If you asked every player in the dressing room they don't think it's Owen's last game.

"We just went out to win a cup tie for the fans who travelled today and that's what we have done."

On the game he said: "We came here today hoping to get through into the next round and we are delighted. We were professional in the first half and after a stonewall penalty it was a great finish by Steven Fletcher.

"After that, it was just a case of seeing the game out and defending well, which we did."