OWEN Coyle and his players have thanked Burnley supporters for the role they played in yesterday's FA Cup showdown with Arsenal.

Although the third round tie was not a sell-out at Turf Moor, the Clarets faithful were in full voice to roar the players on to the end against the Premier League leaders.

"I thought the supporters were magnificent," said Coyle.

"They stood there at 2-0 and they applauded because they could see the effort the lads are giving.

"Supporters have worked hard all week to pay good money to come and see their team, and they're representative of them, because they wish they were out there.

"And I feel they'll go home thinking those players have given every ounce of effort.

"There's no getting away from the undoubted quality (Arsenal) have, and when they pass and move the ball they do it at pace, and they're very effective, as we'd seen.

"But if you get that (backing) week in, week out, we'll win games."

And full back Jon Harley revealed the effect the Burnley fans had on the pitch when the Clarets were battling with 10 men, following Kyle Lafferty's controversial second half sending off.

"When we went down to 10 men, I suppose it was still like we were playing with 11 men because of them," he said.

"The fans were fantastic. At one point in the second-half, the hairs were standing up all over the back of my neck.

"I don't think we can speak highly enough of them.

"If they can produce that week in, week out, and if we can produce the same performance week in, week out as well, we'd all be a force to be reckoned with.

"The fans were brilliant, and if they can carry on like that maybe we'll carry on as we played as well.

"We'll be a good team together."

Coyle added: "We carried on the fight and I thought the spirit and the sense of togetherness was evident for everybody to see.

"What we have to do now is take the positives from that and make sure we go and show that level of performance in the Championship."