SEAN Dyche offered no excuses for Burnley's FA Cup humbling at the hands of non-league Lincoln City.

The Burnley boss refused to be critical of his side after they were beaten at Turf Moor by the National League leaders, and insisted they had created enough to score during the game.

Lincoln became the first non-league team to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals in 103 years thanks to Sean Raggett's 89th minute header.

"We've unfortunately played part of their fairytale, which we quite obviously didn't want to do," said Dyche.

"I saw them last week, very similar gameplan, back four don't go anywhere, front two work hard, and play up to the big man. And we dealt with it lot, to be fair, because there is a sensationalism in these moments, but as a manager, I know what we dealt with, and I think they had one chance - their goal.

"I'm not too critical about the shape and defensive side of the team, the technical detail...we created enough to score a goal, we didn't do that, we haven't kept the ball as well - the pitch is a bit tricky at the minute, because of the weather up here.

"But no excuses. At the end of the day, I've been on the other side, in a team that had to find a way to win a game in this competition, and they found a way.

"That's what football is all about, you have to find a way."

Burnley were below par for much of the afternoon and Dyche admitted his side hadn't hit their normal heights in the FA Cup fifth round tie.

Asked if the Clarets had ever really got going he said: "Not as much as we normally do, I was happy with the team selection, I thought there were enough individuals with enough quality. It was a tricky one, the conditions were a bit awkward, the growth of the pitch is tough.

"I don't think we were near our levels, but still enough to get the job done if we take our chances.

"We've found before many times, particularly in the Championship, when teams play a back four and don't move, when you score that first goal, that changes everything, and we didn't do that.

"It's one of those things.

"If you keep any team to no chances on your goal, and one in the dying moments, that's a solid performance. But with the ball, the detail was lacking."

Dyche refuted suggestions complacency had been issue for Burnley.

"Its far too simple to say that, no complacency on our part," he said. "You're looking to make a story about that sort of things, and I spoke about it, I've been the other side of it, so there's no complacency, I bet our stats were good physically, but it's the detail of the performance, particularly with the ball."

The Burnley boss also defended Joey Barton, who was involved in a running battle with Matt Rhead, going down when he ran into the big striker's arm and treading on his foot, while he also pushed Terry Hawkridge in the face.

"He was terrific, he kept us going, kept us right, plays with that energy and desire," he said. "There were a few lacking that edge I talk about.

"Part of our growth is this is the first time in a long, long, time that we've been favourites, big favourites.

"It's a different mindset. Virtually every week we are underdogs, and I didn't think we dealt as well with that once the whistle blew. In the week, fine, build up, habits, everything good. But the madness of football is we take a chance early, and it changes everything.

"We didn't, and one of my mad laws of football is the law of one more chance, and they had one, and took it."