CLARETS skipper Ben Mee admitted he was disappointed not to be able to give Burnley’s ‘fantastic’ supporters an FA Cup run this season.

Mee and his men were backed by 7,600 travelling fans at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday but they exited the cup at the first hurdle, beaten 4-1 by Manchester City.

Those Clarets supporters were dreaming of an upset for half an hour after Ashley Barnes put Burnley ahead before Pep Guardiola’s side completed a second half comeback.

Burnley were handed the toughest possible third round assignment with a trip to the Etihad, but Mee was disappointed not to be able to savour a cup run.

“It would’ve been really nice to have had a good cup run. We’re doing really well in the league now so to have followed that up in the FA Cup would’ve been fantastic,” he said.

“When you get drawn here you think it’s an uphill task from the beginning but we went out and gave it everything that we had.

“It would definitely have been great to have a good cup run, especially for the fans who turned up because they were fantastic. I think 10 per cent of Burnley’s population was here this, it was brilliant to see and fantastic for them.

“I hope they could see the lads giving everything for the shirt and for the team. Hopefully they were pleased with our performance and understood the job that we had on our hands. We gave it everything, it’s disappointing not to have a good cup run, but we’ll look forward and try to kick on with our league form.”

Although the 7,600 Clarets went away disappointed they can console themselves with the thought of a return to league action next week as Burnley try and maintain their incredible season which sees them sitting seventh in the Premier League.

“It’s fantastic and I would like to think that they’re enjoying their time as a Burnley fan at the minute,” Mee said.

“It’s a fantastic time to be following us, we have a great following and the lads know that. We all appreciate it.”

City’s equaliser came with a dose of controversy as the hosts took a free-kick which caught the Clarets off guard.

Ashley Westwood was speaking to referee Graham Scott before Ilkay Gundogan played in Sergio Aguero to score.

Mee said: “It was a sloppy goal, we’re disappointed with the first one which gave them their momentum. That got their tails up and from there it was tough to stop them going in.

“The referee told Westy to get back and he’s asked for the whistle. I think he’s nodded his head and he’s let play go on which is a bit disappointing from our point of view.

“We sort of switched off a little bit and we should be aware of these players and what they’re capable of. We’re disappointed, we could’ve prevented the second, it’s another sloppy one from us.”