Burnley 3-0 Oldham Athletic
Stu Vose at Turf Moor

Burnley came out on top in a keenly-contested Lancashire derby to advance to the third round of the Carling Cup and end Athletic's unbeaten start to the season.

Backed by another impressive travelling support, Latics battled well but couldn't find a way past the Championship outfit who were in incisive form at the other end.

Burnley claimed a rather fortunate 3-0 victory when the two sides met last year, and once again the game finished with a scoreline which didn't really reflect the balance of play.

After failing to win any of their opening three games, Burnley were desperate for an early goal and they got it through Chris McCann after 12 minutes.

Chris Eagles sent Wade Elliott scampering away down the right and his cross was met by McCann, who arched his back to angle a header beyond the reach of Greg Fleming.

Athletic started the second period brightly but hopes of a revival were dealt a blow when Burnley fashioned a killer second as Eagles' shot was parried by Fleming and Martin Paterson slammed home the rebound.

And it was Paterson who rounded things off for the home side when he cashed in on a fortunate break in the box to sweep a shot into the back of the net.

Manager John Sheridan had stated in the press that his side would show a number of the changes, and the Boundary Park chief made a total of five as he rotated his squad.

Burnley had the first half-chance of the game three minutes in when ex-Scunthorpe man Paterson found space down the left, but he could only shoot into the side-netting under pressure from Reuben Hazell and debutant Fleming.

McCann fired a warning shot when he fired over from the edge of the box before giving Burnley a 12th-minute lead when he headed home from eight yards out.

Owen Coyle's hosts continued their strong start and Fleming had to be alert to turn away Elliott's effort from 10 yards out.

But Latics - playing a new 4-5-1 formation - responded through Chris O'Grady, who hit a shot wide from the edge of the box after turning smartly away from his marker.

The visitors almost fashioned an equaliser when Kevin Maher dropped a free kick in to Hazell on 27 minutes, but the defender's diving header flashed just wide of the far post with Brian Jensen stranded.

Encouraged by the travelling fans, Athletic began to settle into the new setup and play their usual passing game without really troubling the home rearguard.

However, Burnley served notice of their attacking potency when Paterson flicked on beautifully for McCann, who rolled his shot just wide of Fleming's right-hand post from 12 yards.

Danny Whitaker closed out the first period when he slammed a shot over at the back post following a goalmouth scramble deep in the danger zone.

Athletic came out for the second half looking full of industry and began to push forward from wide positions.

But they were caught on the break when Eagles steamed through the middle and Paterson was on hand to mop up for his third goal in the competition.

Sheridan responded with a triple substitution, replacing Kevin Maher, Deane Smalley and O'Grady with debutant Kieran Lee, Lewis Alessandra and Lee Hughes.

And the changes fashioned a quick response, with Chris Taylor going close from a free-kick before sub Alessandra drew a great save from Jensen with a snapshot on the turn.

But back came Burnley, who settled things twelve minutes from time through Paterson when he rattled home his second goal of the game.

There was one final chance for Athletic when Lee Hughes raced clean through, but Jensen's low save summed up an evening to forget for the visitors.

Latics: Fleming, Eardley, Lomax, Stam, Hazell, Allott, Maher (Lee, 67), Whitaker, Smalley (Alessandra, 67), Taylor, O'Grady (Hughes, 67).

Subs Not Used: Kalala, Stephens, Liddell, Crossley.

Booked: Hazell (90).

Sent Off: None.

Scorers: None.

Burnley: Jensen, Alexander, Kalvenes, Duff (Gudjonsson, 58), Carlisle, Caldwell, McDonald (Blake, 58), Paterson, Elliott, McCann (Mahon, 79), Eagles.

Subs Not Used: Jordan, Akinbiyi, Anderson, Penny.

Booked: Elliott (26).

Sent Off: None.

Scorers: McCann (12), Paterson (63, 73)

Referee: Mr A Penn
Assistant: Mr D Benton
Assistant: Mr K Haycock
Fourth Official: Mr M Denton

Att: 5,528 (1,300+ away)