WADE Elliott scored on the stroke of half-time as the Clarets shook up former boss Owen Coyle.

Elliott was the man who scored the Wembley winner to lead Coyle's Burnley into the Premier League. This time the midfielder's strike gave Coyle an uphill battle in this red-hot Carling Cup clash.

Elliott got on the end of Chris Eagles' cross on 45 minutes, hooking the ball in at the far post. The linesman's flag initially went up but, after consultation with referee Mark Clattenburg, the goal was allowed to stand.

Earlier, Coyle made the lonely walk from the dressing rooms under the David Fishwick Stand to the visitors dugout to a cacophony of boos, surrounded by eight yellow-jacketed stewards.

He looked back at his detractors and must have seen the Judas sign with the arrow underneath it, pointing roughly to the place where he would watch the game.

The Clarets almost got off to the perfect start too as Chris Eagles raced onto Chris Iwelumo’s flick and let fly with a powerful shot from an acute angle that Adam Bogdan - one of eight changes to the Bolton line-up - palmed away.

Eagles came even closer on Burnley’s next attack as his ferocious shot from the right edge of the area crashed against the woodwork.

The Bolton goal came under more pressure thanks to dangerman Eagles, although Bogdan did make a meal of his cross-shot as it flashed past Iwelumo and was fumbled around the post.

Bolton finally threatened through Rodrigo Moreno, who cut inside Danny Fox and unleashed a shot Ivan Klasnic was perilously close to getting a touch to on its way to Lee Grant.

The Burnley goalkeeper was called on again shortly afterwards when Tahir Cohen looked like beating him from the edge of the area, only for Grant to make a fine fingertip save.

Jay Rodriguez replied with a long-range effort of his own for Burnley, although it flew harmlessly over the bar.

Moreno was looking increasingly threatening and Burnley would have been in trouble if he had found his range with a cross instead of drilling it behind three expectant team-mates inside the penalty area.

Andre Bikey sent Blake flying near the edge of the area to present the Burnley old boy with the kind of free-kick opportunity he covets, but his effort soared over.

Wade Elliott earned himself a lecture from referee Mark Clattenburg for a robust challenge on Matt Taylor as Bolton began to get a measure of control over the contest.

Cohen was the first player booked when he clattered into Elliott, then Tyrone Mears earned his side a corner with a forceful burst down the right.

Blake’s low shot was saved by Grant, then Rodriguez became the second Burnley player to strike the post when his fierce effort shot back past Bogdan without the Bolton goalkeeper getting anywhere near it.

Burnley had got their second wind and the opening goal duly arrived a minute from the break when Eagles crossed from the right.

Iwelumo and Jack Cork jumped for it and seemed to get in the way of themselves with the Bolton defence in tatters.

The loose ball eventually shot out to Elliott, who fired an acrobatic volley goalwards.

Bogdan pushed it out but an eagle-eyed assistant spotted it had crossed the line and after consultation with Clattenburg, Burnley had their noses in front.