STEVE Cotterill's words of wisdom finally helped Dean Bowditch get his name on the Burnley scoresheet.

The on-loan Ipswich Town striker opened his account at the fourth attempt to set the Clarets on the road to a comfortable victory over Watford on Saturday.

And boss Cotterill revealed: "I spoke to Dean before the Sheffield United game and said that for all his good play, he wasn't getting too many efforts on goal.

"He did that, and before last Saturday's game I said 'now you have got to score a goal'.

"For all of Dean's hard work and link-up play, he needs Ipswich Town to be looking at the goalscorers and seeing the name Bowditch.

"That's his club and they will be looking to see how he has done, so the goal is good for him and we are delighted with him."

Burnley doubled their lead soon after from an unlikely source as James O'Connor sealed his return to Turf Moor with a timely strike.

It was the Dubliner's first goal in almost exactly three years, since opening the scoring for Stoke City in the Division Two play off semi final against Cardiff City in May 2002.

Amazingly, the former West Bromwich Albion midfielder thus became the 17th player to find the net for Burnley this season - leaving only Michael Duff as the only experienced outfield squad player yet to score.

And Cotterill was delighted at the way O'Connor, who spent three months on loan earlier in the season, slotted straight back into the Clarets midfield.

He said: "James had three months behind him, so people knew what to expect from him.

"A lot of the work he did (on Saturday) was getting a toe in just when people were going to pull the trigger on the edge of the box.

"That's because he is a fit lad and he does get from box to box well, which is a requirement for a modern midfield player.

"I am delighted with his efforts and to cap it all it was a great strike for the goal.

"However, I wouldn't get too excited because James probably won't score for the next three months now!"

Individuals may have taken the honours as Burnley picked up only their second win in nine league games.

But Cotterill was keen to promote the team ethic that finally carried the smallest squad in the Championship past their first pre-season priority of achieving 50 points.

The Clarets boss said: "I know we have spoken about individuals, but I thought whether we had to defend or attack, it was very much a team performance.

"In the first half I thought we played very well and scored two very good goals.

"Watford came out in the second half and had a go at us, but in the end I think the two-goal cushion was right."