HAD fate dictated otherwise, Kyle Lafferty could have been lining up against Burnley at Molineux.

Instead, the young Northern Ireland international demonstrated why he has become such hot property with a goal for the Clarets and another impressive display as Owen Coyle maintained his 100 per cent away record.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy made an enquiry about signing Lafferty early in the summer.

However, both he and his chairman Jez Moxey were told in no uncertain terms, in the same way that Glasgow giants Celtic were when they had previously offered a paltry half-a-million for him, that the 20-year-old was going nowhere.

Fulham, from the Premiership, were next with a bid of £3 million.

But Lafferty has stayed put and the decision by the Clarets' board to keep the wolves away from the door has been vindicated.

The player, himself, certainly helped to keep the Wolves at bay as Burnley claimed another top scalp on their travels.

And Lafferty revealed the constant speculation helped to inspire him.

He said: "It's a motivation really, but I'm a Burnley player at the moment and I just have to keep on working hard for them.

"The manager's come in and he's done well, the lads are working together and it shows on the pitch."

When asked about the youngster after the match, McCarthy could only sigh and concede: "I would imagine that Lawrie Sanchez has the march on that one. I was looking at him in the summer but it was never going to happen at any great length. To be fair to Burnley they weren't willing to sell him. Will they be willing to sell no matter what the fee is?"

Lafferty was in good company in the Black Country, with starring roles from team-mates Robbie Blake, Andy Gray and Wade Elliott in particular, in a first half that showed every ounce of the attacking flair Coyle has been preaching since his appointment.

And in the second half it was the turn of the defenders to show their mettle as Wolves threatened to grab what would have been an undeserved point.

Just like Watford and Charlton before them, Wolves threw everything at the Clarets in a desperate bid to find a late equaliser. But, just like Watford and Charlton, they were repelled as David Unsworth, Clark Carlisle, Jon Harley and captain Graham Alexander formed a formidable line of defence in front of goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly.

It may surprise some that those very three teams that were defeated so convincingly recently on their own patch were strutting their stuff among England's finest in the Premier League. But it will come as no surprise to the loyal Burnley faithful who made the afternoon trip down to the West Midlands as they have come to expect entertainment aplenty from Coyle and his troops.

And that's certainly what they got at Molineux in front of the live television cameras, with viewers treated to another five-goal thriller, the fifth time in succession that a match involving the Clarets on Sky has ended with five goals.

They are quickly turning into prime time viewing and with Coyle's brand of free-flowing, attacking football it's no wonder.

Of course their cause was helped by a first half horror show in defence from the home side.

Welsh international goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, another one of Sanchez's transfer targets, quickly turned from hero to zero in the space of a few minutes to gift the Clarets the lead.

The 20-year-old parried a fierce drive from Alan Mahon but bravely stood up to smother the ball as Andy Gray raced in on goal. However, such is the cruel nature of the game, he blotted his copybook in fantastic style when he spilled Robbie Blake's 20-yard free-kick over the line.

Burnley's celebrations were just dying down when the home side clawed their way back to level the scores.

Clark Carlisle's clearance fell to the feet of Stephen Ward and his driven cross to the back post found Republic of Ireland international Darron Gibson. And the on-loan Manchester United midfielder made no mistake with a low shot that cracked in off the post.

But on the half hour mark the Clarets regained their lead, thanks to a sublime piece of craft from the boot of Wade Elliott and another episode of comedy defending.

Elliott had earlier felt the full force of a challenge from former Blackburn Rovers defender Michael Gray and many would be forgiven for fearing the worst as Gray rushed in to the wideman at almost the identical spot on the pitch. But Elliott jinked his way past him and floated over an exquisite left foot cross for Lafferty, who ghosted in at the back post to score.

Hennessey made up for his early gaff when he denied Gray, but there was nothing he could do five minutes before the break when Blake turned and twisted on the left and forced over a cross that met the head of Carlisle and was deflected into the back of the net courtesy of Darren Ward's hand.

Wolves came out after the break full of intent and Kiraly had to look lively to save a long-range effort from Gibson, before referee Steve Tanner threw them a lifeline after an hour. Gray tugged on the shirt of Seyi Olofinjana and the official had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Stephen Elliott gave the home support hope by scoring the resulting penalty and McCarthy threw caution to the wind when he sent on strikers Freddy Eastwood and Andy Keogh.

But there was no way through the Clarets rearguard and it was the visitors who came closest to scoring, but substitute Joey Gudjonsson was twice denied by Hennessey, who pulled off a couple of world class saves.

At the death Wolves could have nicked a point when Elliott teed up a shot inside the area. But Harley flung himself at the effort and the danger was cleared.

As Wolves found out, the Clarets are a difficult animal to tame under Coyle .