BURNLEY development squad boss Michael Jolley praised his side’s work without the ball after the 10-man Clarets beat Watford 2-0 in the Premier League Cup.

Jolley’s Under-23 side secured qualification for the group stages of the cup and home and away clashes with Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland and Cardiff with victory at Turf Moor.

Jimmy Dunne’s header gave them a fourth minute lead, but Kevin Long saw red just before the half hour after he pulled back Hornets striker Ogo Obi when through on goal.

But Burnley continued to defend resolutely and Patrick Bamford’s penalty 15 minutes from time secured victory.

"We are a club that works very hard without the ball which comes from the manager and the first team down,” Jolley said of his young guns resilience when down a man.

“The young players have to be able to do that. Even though we lost a player it was the same requirement in making sure that we kept our shape, keep pressing, keep organised and then when we got the ball we looked for chances to counter attack. I thought we did that well.

“It’s a big ask to play with 10 men for an hour against anyone and they’re a Premier League football club with some good players who moved the ball well at times."

Jolley’s side featured some experienced campaigners, with Nick Pope in goal while Jon Flanagan, Kevin Long, Aiden O’Neill and Bamford all started outfield.

The coach praised the senior players for their approach to the development squad games.

"I thought Flanno was terrific today and probably the best player on the pitch,” said Jolley.

“He never gave the ball away. Whenever we have the first team lads come and play in the development games they are excellent in the way that they go about it. That was the same today so I'm really pleased with them.”