STEVE Cotterill urged his players to learn a valuable lesson after almost being muscled out of the Carling Cup at Bury last night.

Burnley successfully made it through to tonight's second round draw after twice coming from behind to snatch a 3-2 victory.

And boss Cotterill knows a big improvement will be needed at West Ham United this weekend if the Clarets are to continue their uplifting unbeaten start to the season.

"I don't think we stood up to the physical challenge enough in the first half last night," said Cotterill.

"When you play a side from the lower leagues you have to make sure you compete for everything.

"I know because I've been there and, for me, we didn't do that enough in the first half.

"We were far better in the second half, but on another day and against a side from the First Division, we may not have come back from it so there's a lesson to be learned there."

Cotterill, whose side won through thanks to a Dwayne Mattis own goal and Robbie Blake's second and third strikes of the season, added: "The victory is what it was all about I suppose.

"The bad, the good and the indifferent came out, but it's all about getting through so we are delighted."

Cotterill paid Bury the ultimate compliment of fielding his strongest team at Gigg Lane.

And the Clarets chief is now praying that decision does not backfire after influential midfielder Richard Chaplow suffered a worrying thigh injury courtesy of a late Dave Flitcroft tackle.

He said: "All the credit goes to Bury because they pushed us all the way. I decided to stick with the same side out of respect because we may have got turned over otherwise.

"I just thought we just had to go again and I'm glad we have come through pretty much unscathed, other than a knock to Richard Chaplow who took a nasty knock, and some tired legs.

"The pitch was quite energy sapping and we've come off the incredible heights of the Wolves game last Saturday.

"It's hard when you are a player reaching those heights, coming back down to earth and then reaching them again so quickly.

"We haven't had a break yet, which has been very tough on our guys."