Howe delighted with dogged performance against Seagulls

After the 1-0 victory he said: "We obviously had the game midweek against Birmingham and you can see with the bodies we've got available that we're down to the bare bones. I thought the lads that were fit gave everything for the cause today, they were outstanding with people playing out of position and with injuries. It was a huge effort against a really good side.

"We gave a lot of energy in the first half, pressing them and trying to stop them playing their normal game. I thought we did that really well. We put a lot of balls in their box and scored a really good goal."

Howe added: "We did fear second half that they would keep the ball and have the majority of the play but it brought out the best in our back four who, with Ross (Wallace) at left-back, were excellent. The two-centre-halves headed everything and limited them really to half chances. We found a second wind towards the end and hit them on the break a couple of times. Lee Grant's not had a great deal to do and that's testament really to the lads. The work-rate was outstanding."

For a full reaction from the fixture, including interviews with Howe and goalscorer Charlie Austin, read Tuesday's Burnley Express.