STEVE Cotterill put aside his disappointment at the defeat by West Ham to lavish praise on Clarets defender Michael Duff.

The Northern Ireland international shone in his biggest test yet as Burnley battled in vain to keep their unbeaten start to the season intact at Upton Park.

Duff was handed the unenviable task of keeping a tight rein on England U21 international Matthew Etherington, a winger with precocious talent.

And Clarets chief Cotterill believes his summer signing from Cheltenham outclassed everyone else on the pitch, despite finishing on the losing side.

"I thought Michael was absolutely outstanding." he said. "I asked him at the end of the game if he had ever played at West Ham before because he did not look out of place.

"He hasn't come up against a flying winger and they don't come much better than Matthew Etherington, certainly in this league.

"He was just magnificent - head and shoulders above the rest and I'm delighted for him."

Cotterill admitted he was disappointed not to pick up at least a point against opponents who are expected to mount a strong promotion challenge this season.

Burnley dominated the opening 45 minutes against the Hammers before falling to a fluke goal from Adam Nowland in the 62nd minute.

And Cotterill believes the substitution of veteran West Ham midfielder Steve Lomas - making his first appearance this season following injury - handed Alan Pardew's men a timely lift that finally hauled them over the line.

" It would have made all the difference if we could have nicked a goal in the first half," said Cotterill. "But in the second half, I thought Lomas gave them a big lift when he came on with a good bit of leadership.

"I am just disappointed with the goal we gave away because we were looking quite comfortable. But maybe it's a decent measure of how far we have come that we can come to West Ham and give a decent account of ourselves.

"We looked strong to the death and that's a great credit to the lads because they have worked really hard."

Cotterill admitted he feared the worst when a mass 20-man brawl erupted in stoppage time following a clash between the grounded John McGreal and Hammers striker Marlon Harewood.

Referee Phil Robinson finally booked three players - two from West Ham and Duff - when the dust had finally settled after almost five minutes of chaos.

He said: "I was worried there might be a few red cards, but I didn't see what started it. There were two players rolling around having a kiss and a cuddle and all of a sudden we have a little bit of WWF!

"I don't know what went on, but afterwards the linesman told me later it was our free kick. Yet they had it and a 10-yard advancement, so the linesman told me one thing and the referee told me another.

"In the end, it was nearly as good as our teamwork in the final third."