STEVE Cotterill praised the role midfielder Chris McCann had to play in securing Burnley's first away win of the season.

The Clarets moved up to 12th place in the table after goals from Alan Mahon and an Andy Gray double secured a 3-2 win at Colchester United.

And while Cotterill is delighted with Gray's early season ratio, after the striker grabbed his fifth goal in five games from the spot, it was McCann's persistance in earning the penalty, which ultimately won the game, that pleased the Burnley boss.

"I thought Chris McCann was outstanding today," said Cotterill.

"By people running forward into the box, it's always dangerous. (Colchester) have a young boy called (Kem) Izzet who's very dangerous because he pops in the box in between central defenders blind. We were pleased today that Chris has managed to go in there and win us a penalty."

But Cotterill was equally full of praise for the team effort which led to his side scoring two first-half goals. Alan Mahon put Burnley in the driving seat with a 16th minute volley - his first goal since the 4-1 win at Norwich on October 1 last year - before Gray's right-foot volley made it 2-0 before the half-hour.

"We were pleased with our goals today and our attacking play. We've just got to make sure that we keep on our guard and keep things locked up at the other end," he said.

"I thought we played very well today. I actually think 3-2 probably flatters them a bit today. It was a game we deserved to win.

"The finishing and the goal from Alan Mahon gave us a great start and a good platform to build on. The real pleasing thing about it is that I thought we passed the ball really well, on an excellent pitch.

"The only disappointment for me, as it would always be, is that we haven't kept a clean sheet; we haven't scored five goals, which I think our play probably deserved."

"I'm delighted with the win and it gives us a good boost going into the break now.

"Unfortunately we've got a two-week break when really we could have done without it.

"But to be in the top half of the table and to be on six points with a game in hand now that's at home, that maybe could've pushed us up quite a few places.

"We knew before today that had we had, say, a 1-0 victorty at home last week in the Queens Park Rangers game we would have been in about fourth or fifth position.

"So with a win today could have taken us into the top three.

"But ifs and buts are not there to be looked at, we're just pleased with our performance today."

Cotterill added: "As we did last season, we've started like a train in scoring goals. Perhaps conceding goals at the moment is through trying to put together a back four because that has been a problem with bringing down the age and trying to get people in and having to sell people.

"It does get difficult, but I thought they were good today.

"I thought Steven Caldwell and Clarke Carlisle were excellent back there.

"Steven Caldwell's very unlucky for their second goal, but other than that I thought they were excellent."