IF European nights are always going to be like this then Burnley fans might need to start wearing heart rate monitors.

The Clarets supporters were put through the mill over two legs by a resilient Aberdeen before finally overcoming the plucky Dons after extra time at Turf Moor.

Jack Cork was the hero for Burnley, heading home the crucial second goal before Ashley Barnes’ late penalty secured a 3-1 on the night victory and a 4-2 aggregate success.

The second leg was just as the first had been seven days earlier, absorbing and engrossing. It wasn’t necessarily high on quality but was played out in an electric atmosphere with both sets of supporters combining to make this a Turf night to remember.

There were nervy moments for the Clarets across the two legs but as so often in the past 12 months, they found a way to win.

That strong jaw was evident once again and Burnley, battered and bruised, proved they can climb off the ropes to deliver knockout blows.

Judging by the opening 210 minutes, the Europa League will be a draining competition, but it is one that might stand Burnley in good stead for winnable opening fixtures against Southampton and Watford. There is no way those two opponents will have gone through a game as intense as this one during pre-season.

If the Clarets can keep enough people fit, nurse those who were absent in midweek through to the south coast opener on Sunday week, then perhaps they can reap some continental cheer.

After working so hard to reach Europe, defeat to Aberdeen would have felt like an anti-climax.

The Clarets European tour can now begin in earnest. Passports at the ready, Turkey awaits, onwards to Istanbul.