STAN Ternent hailed his classy Clarets as they booked their place in the FA Cup fifth round at the expense of Gillingham.

Three superb goals, two from Robbie Blake and an Ian Moore header, put Burnley in the hat for the last 16 for the second successive year.

Clarets chief Ternent said: "We are delighted to be through and in the hat and I think we deserved it because the goals were all top quality.

"The free kick was a fantastic goal and Robbie is capable of doing that, but the first goal from Ian and the last were also good goals too.

"I thought it was scrappy for the first half hour. It wasn't a game at all and we never got going, yet we went in two goals ahead and we are much, much better than that.

"But goals change games and third one was always going to be an important one. Fortunately for us, we got it. But the main thing is to win and keep the interest going."

Ternent was forced to watch his side secure victory from the stands after being sent off at half time following a row on the pitch with referee Graham Laws.

Ternent was incensed at some of the tackles flying about in the first half, notably from John Hills, who was booked for hacking down Blake just seconds after clattering Glen Little.

Ternent added: "Every credit to the players for not getting involved, but no credit to me because at half time I asked the referee why he hadn't booked Hills before he whacked Robbie.

" If he had, he probably wouldn't have kicked him. Apparently, I embarrassed him and was sent to the stands for the second half for asking a perfectly civilised question.

"I knocked on the door half an hour after the game, which I am allowed to do, but he wouldn't allow me in.

"It's a ridiculous state of affairs, absolutely ridiculous."

Victory could now ease the cash burden weighing heavily on Burnley's shoulders. A place in the fifth round is already worth £75,000 in FA prize money, while Saturday's gate of over 9,000 all-paying supporters has further swelled the coffers.

And Ternent, who has kept his players fully focused on footballing matters, was hoping for a little luck in today's draw to provide another pay day for the cash-strapped Clarets.

He said: "It hasn't been difficult for the players to keep their minds on playing. Their job is to play football and my job is to manage them.

"The financial aspects of the club are of a concern to everyone, like a lot of other clubs up and down the country. But all we can do is our best and it's what we did against Gillingham. Our best was good enough and for the players and the whole club, it was was a fantastic day.

"If we drew Manchester United next they (the fans) would find some dough, but (Saturday) was all pay and it's expensive. If you live in and around Burnley it's not easy ... for any of us!"