BURNLEY chief executive Paul Fletcher has thanked the town for coming together and roaring the Clarets to a cup win over Owen Coyle’s Bolton Wanderers.

Wade Elliott’s volley just before the break in Tuesday night’s showdown was enough to separate the two teams and dump their former manager out the competition.

But ex-Clarets striker Fletcher believes it was the fans, and their reaction to the returning Coyle, who set them apart from their Lancashire rivals and inspired the players to reach the Carling Cup fourth round.

“When Owen Coyle left, the club launched a ‘Together’ campaign, and if ever something came together it was Tuesday night,” said Fletcher.

“Normally for a game like that we would get 6,000-7,000 fans on Turf Moor, but the fact that more than 17,000 were here speaks volumes.

“It epitomised everything we are trying to do.

“They voiced their anger – without going over the top – but they still got behind the team, and how that encouraged them.

“Hopefully all the other stuff is behind us now and we can get on with the season and the rest of our lives.

“We are in a very important league with two massive home games coming up, so we can’t rest on our laurels.”

And Fletcher urged for a fresh start for Brian Laws, who has ridden a wave of criticism since taking over from Coyle nine months ago.

“It’s not often you get all 11 players having a great game, but they were all exceptional on Tuesday. Great credit to Brian Laws for putting out a team and inspiring them to win a game like that,” he said.

“The supporters are warming to him.

“We realise at the club he had a mammoth task when he took the job on in January.

“Not only had the manager gone but seven of his backroom staff had walked out as well.

“At the end of it, the fact that we only missed out on staying up by five points was an incredible achievement.

“We didn’t break the bank like some clubs do. We kept within our budgets and gave it our best shot, and Brian came through it all with great dignity.

“He does have the ability to fire up the team, although in a different way to Owen.

“He got on with it, and we had a great victory against Spurs on the final day of the season and we have looked to take that on this season.”