Nicky Hayen on Burnley's spineless defeat to Lincoln City and his job

An under-pressure Nicky Hayen apologised to Burnley fans following their gutless display to Lincoln City.

Despite taking a first-half lead, the Clarets went down to a 4-1 defeat at Sincil Bank to remain in the Championship’s bottom three.

It led to an angry response from the sold-out away end, with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” and “you’re not fit to wear the shirt”.

There were also a number of chants and banners aimed at Alan Pace, who again was not in attendance.

Speaking after the game, Hayen said: “I apologise for this performance and the situation we're in at the moment.

“But I know also that it doesn't matter to them because they're really frustrated and I totally can understand and accept it.

“We can keep on working hard, that's the only thing we can do, but totally I understand the frustration.”

When asked if he thinks he can continue, Hayen replied: “I don't know. I know how it goes or how it can go in football, I'm aware of that.

“But I said to you last time also that I'm not going to lose my energy in this, because that's the decision of the board.

“But of course I know when you have results like this it can become difficult. But again, every day that I get I will work really hard, the hardest that I can, and that's the only thing I can do.”

Hayen has also drew criticism from Burnley fans on social media after not shaking the hands of Lincoln’s coaching staff at the final whistle.

The Belgian, who must now be on the brink, also decided to applaud the travelling fans, opting instead to charge straight down the tunnel.

Explaining the situation, Hayen said: “I just went inside because of the disappointment, so I will go to him so it's nothing against him or whatever.”

When asked to explain Burnley’s spineless display, Hayen said: “It was a really difficult one.

“We knew how they played, a lot of vertical style of play, especially against the wind. It was difficult, long balls in our 18-yard box, and it was dual second balls, and we managed it quite well.

“We didn't play our best game in the first half, didn't find the structure, didn't play fast enough in the structure, but once we did, we came out and created a few corner kicks.

“One, really well done, practiced on the training yesterday and saved on the line. The second one is a goal.

“I don't say you hope, but you try to manage them until half-time, and we conceded a way too easy goal, not the first time this season.

“Then you feel it's a matter of confidence and in the second half we made the opponent way too easy. You feel the opponent gets a lot of motivation and confidence and we were struggling with that.”