PROMOTERS were half-hoping Ben Mee might have turned on the style for the Clarets.

Others thought Jack Cork might have been a noteworthy recipient of the first-ever Benedictine man of the match prize.

But in the end two-goal hero Ashley Barnes came up with the kind of spirited performance which secured him a special bottle of Burnley's favourite tipple.

Club bosses have swapped the traditional champagne for a bottle of Béné this season, for their star man, and the Southampton game saw the scheme's launch.

For generations, a tot of Béné and hot has warmed the cockles of stalwart supporters at Turf Moor, with crowds going through 1,500 bottles last season alone, so the tie-up was a no-brainer.

Philippe Jouhaud, the liqueur's marketing director, said: "Over the years, we have enjoyed incredible support from Burnley Football Club.

"We're proud to bring about the first ever Bénédictine Man of the Match, and hope the team enjoy their limited edition prizes.#

"There is no better way to thank the club for its loyal patronage for 100 years and counting."

Anthony Fairclough, the club's commercial director, added: "Bénédictine is one of our most popular match day drinks, so the club is thrilled to be partnering with the brand for our man of the match presentations.

"We’ve been selling Béné and hot on the terraces for over a century now, so this feels like a fitting and unique way to commemorate our town's history with the liqueur."

The affiliation with the drink dates back to the First World War, when members of the East Lancashire Regiment were stationed close to Fécamp, in Normandy, where the liqueur is made. Soldiers drank it with hot water to keep warm in the trenches.

Once hostilities ceased the taste for Benedictine was transferred back to Blighty and bottls had to be imported. Burnley Miners Club, just yards from the football ground, is renowned as their best customer.