OWEN Coyle revealed his delight that Burnley’s first league win of the season was recorded at what he believes will be one of the toughest venues in the Championship.

Two goals from Graham Alexander were enough to end an agonising wait for three points at the City Ground, where the Clarets have not been successful since 1964.

A stunning finish from a free-kick and powerful penalty shattered Nottingham Forest’s resistance, and although Robert Earnshaw equalised in between Alexander’s efforts, Coyle was confident his side would do enough to secure a much-needed victory.

“We knew it was going to be difficult. Nottingham Forest have a fantastic home record, but I certainly felt that, over the piece, we merited it,” he said.

“At 1-1 I think the crowd’s tails are up.

“I felt a little bit aggrieved to lose the goal because I didn’t think initially that it was a free kick, and then it was headed off the bar and Earnshaw does what he does best following in as a striker.

“At 1-1 Forest would have certainly felt they'd go on to win the game, but I felt that we got to grips with it, scored two and could have had three or four in the end, although Forest we're always very dangerous.

“I don’t think there’ll be many teams that will come here and take three points, so I’m absolutely delighted.

“I’m delighted to register that first win – call it a monkey off your back, or whatever you want.

“But we knew it was only round the corner for us given our last two games, and we have to continue that at home against Blackpool.

“It’s nice to get the three points first and foremost, but equally get a couple of goals, and I've got no doubts that the lads will take a lot of heart and a lot of confidence from that.

“We’re delighted to get the three points and it’s nice timing because it gives us a chance going into Tuesday to build on it.”

Although Martin Paterson and Kevin McDonald showed signs of fatigue from their international exploits with Northern Ireland and Scotland Under 21s respectively, there were no such problems for Alexander, following his involvement in Scotland’s European World Cup qualifiers in Macedonia and Iceland.

And Burnley boss Coyle believes his vast experience was a telling factor in his performance.

“I felt the first 10 minutes Grezza got nicked a couple of times in possession of the ball. But he’s probably better versed to deal with it than the two kids are, at 21 and 19,” he said.

“Grezza’s been there and seen it so I think after the initial period he’s known how to move the ball a bit quicker, and he had his influence in the game.

“We know what we get with him, we’ve moved him into that role (in front of the back four), which we felt we had to after losing the first two games, and he acted as a defensive screener for us. And the one thing we know is that when he gets the ball he’s capable of passing it.

“I’m pleased for Graham – to go away and at the age he’s at and performing on the international stage, then come back and be the match winner for us.”

However, the reactions of both Paterson and McDonald has prompted Coyle into a review of players on their return from future international exploits.

“Although Graham saw the game through and took more of an influence, the likes of Kevin McDonald and Martin Paterson I thought they looked a little bit fatigued, possibly to do with the travelling, whereas the rest of the lads are fresh.”