BURNLEY manager Steve Cotterill was grateful to grab all three points in a below-par performance against a spirited Rotherham United side.

Goals from Tony Grant and Frank Sinclair cancelled out Phil Gilchrist's early header to give the Clarets their first victory in six league games.

Cotterill said: "There was a little edginess around, but we have played much better than that at times this season and gone home with nothing, so we will take the points and be very grateful.

"All wins are important and it has been a little while since we've had one. "There was also an expectation around the place because of Rotherham's league position and that put more pressure on the players.

"Quite probably, the only bits of quality football we played resulted in both goals and all credit to Rotherham because I felt they played relaxed and we didn't.

"They have some decent lads and they are proof that there's no easy games in this league, even though a team like Rotherham are cut adrift."

All three goals came in a frantic opening 13 minutes of what increasingly became a scrappy contest.

But Cotterill was quick to praise the contribution of his younger players on show.

Gary Cahill was again impeccable at the heart of the defence, while fellow Aston Villa loan signing Peter Whittingham tried to keep Burnley moving forward form midfield.

In attack, Ipswich Town teenager Dean Bowditch was lively on his debut, showing some nice touches before making way late on for the versatile Michael Duff.

And Cotterill insisted that trio all made their mark as the Clarets bounced back to winning ways.

He added: "I suppose you can look back and say the game was almost over by the 13th minute.

"We felt we played some good football in the first half and not as well as we can in the second, but we had a lot of young players out on the pitch today in a game that could have been edgy for them.

"I thought Dean, Peter and Gary all came through with flying colours. Dean showed some nice touches and link play and he was unlucky not to score before Tony Grant did.

"Dean just got a touch to the ball and maybe he was in there a touch too early, but I thought he did well.

"He can play up front or wide, although I don't think he can play the lone role. He's still only 18 and still maturing and developing, so I don't think that's quite him yet."