STEVE Cotterill hailed November as a "great month" after Burnley earned a fourth win in five games with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Millwall.

Robbie Blake struck the winner for the third game in a row to take the Clarets to a season-high eighth place in the Championship.

And with a depleted squad still missing five regular first-teamers, boss Cotterill paid tribute to the character in the Clarets camp.

He said: "It's been a really good month for us and that's entirely down to the lads.

"They have been absolutely magnificent from day one, but from November we have been rocking a little bit with late team selections and not knowing who is going to be fit.

"Because there is such a tight core of them, maybe that's helped because when you have a big squad, you have to repeat yourself to different players every week, whereas with small numbers you don't have to repeat the mantra all the time.

"They keep dealing with things well and every credit to the lads because this was an unbelievable result for us.

"I thought we probably deserved to go in at half-time a goal up, but we always knew this was going to be a tight game and I'm delighted with the clean sheet and even happier with the goal."

Cotterill, who is now in the running for November's manager of the month award, added: "It was very much a team performance, as it has been for a few weeks now.

"We had to show fantastic character at the end when they can brought on the big guns.

"With Danny Dichio in there and Adrian Serioux torpedoing those balls in from long throw-ins, it's a real threat.

"You can't keep that threat out and you daren't even kick the ball out near your half way line.

"They are like exocets, but to be fair the lads dealt with it exceptionally well."

Cotterill reserved special praise for Gary Cahill, whose steadying influence at the back has helped earn three clean sheets following a daunting debut.

The Clarets chief added; "Since he arrived, Gary has been a real credit. His debut was only against Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane and, since then, he's had to deal with different scenarios every week in this league.

"But he plays with a big heart and is obviously looked after well by Frank Sinclair, who talks and cajoles him."

Skipper Blake's 11th goal of the season came from the penalty spot in the 61st minute following a debatable handball against Lions' defender Mark Phillips.

From his touchline vantage point some 70 yards away, Cotterill admitted he did not gain a clear view of the incident, which sparked fury among the Millwall players.

But Cotterill revealed he was confident that Blake would step up and keep the Clarets winning streak running.

He said: "I didn't get a clear view of the penalty, so I've no idea about the decision.

"We will take it and we are grateful for it and when it was awarded, I felt comfortable that Robbie would finish it.

"There was only one time this season I didn't fancy him to score and that was against Thomas Sorensen, because of his fantastic record."