Burnley kept the pressure on the league leaders with an early demolition job on shell-shocked Hull City.

The Clarets roared to a two-goal lead inside 13 minutes and never looked back as they registered their fourth win in five games.

Michael Duff's first league goal for the Clarets, his first since a Carling Cup strike against Carlisle United in August 2005, laid the foundations as early as the 10th minute.

And Gifton Noel-Williams' textbook header three minutes later ensured the Clarets got back to winning ways at Turf Moor - and leapt into a highly impressive second place in the table.

Hull staged a spirited fightback either side of half time, but when the dust settled the Clarets ran out worthy winners as they cemented a place in the top two.

Burnley were unchanged following the 4-1 victory at Norwich City, which sent them into the two-week international break in great heart.

And fresh from their rest, the Clarets sprang from the blocks. Wade Elliott's deflected shot looped kindly for goalkeeper Boaz Myhill and the winger's appeal for a penalty for hand ball was swiftly turned down.

Elliott's ninth minute corner was then met by a towering John McGreal header that brought a great save from Myhill.

But the City stopper was left grasping at thin air from the resulting corner, which Elliott again delivered with deadly accuracy on to the head of Duff, who found the bottom corner with equal precision to score his first goal.

The 13th minute brought more joy for Burnley as Noel-Williams got his name on the scoresheet.

Micah Hyde's terrific tackle broke up Hull's counter to start the move and a rampant Elliott again sped down the by-line before hanging a cross up to Noel-Williams, who nonchalantly headed home from six yards.

Burnley were indebted to goal hero Duff in the 21st minute when, from Hull's first real attack, Jon Parkin barged Frank Sinclair out of the way only to see the Clarets defender deflect his shot wide.

And as Burnley quickly regained the ascendancy Noel-Williams was inches away from doubling his tally, heading Steve Jones' wonderful left wing cross just over the angle.

Hull really should have gained a foothold just before the half hour when Michael Turner's cross fell at the feet of Michael Bridges six yards out.

However, the former Sunderland and Leeds striker's control betrayed him at the vital moment and Brian Jensen was able to smother his weak effort.

Hull also had good claims for a penalty just before the break when Jensen clattered into Parkin after the giant striker won a header. However, referee Andy Penn was again unmoved by the claims to City's frustration.

City, who ended the half on top, started the second half in a similar vein, flashing several cross-cum-shots across the Clarets goalmouth.

But the visitors soon ran out steam and the hosts again began to create openings in the creaky City defence.

John Harley's trademark free kick in the 63rd minute brought a fine save from Myhill low at his near post. And Jones deep cross to the far post was header just wide by a backtracking Noel-Williams. The game then petered out into a scrappy old affair.

Not that Cotterill was complaining as victory kept the Clarets hot on the heels of the Championship pace setters with another home game to follow in four days time.

Roll on Tuesday!

Burnley: Jensen, Harley, Duff, McGreal, Sinclair, Elliott (Mahon 84), Hyde (McCann 90), J O'Connor, Jones (G O'Connor 88), Gray, Noel-Williams.
Subs not used: Foster, Lafferty. 

Booked: Elliott 78

Hull City: Myhill, Dawson, Ashbee, Turner, Parkin (Forster 67), Bridges, Yeates, Thelwell (Coles 45), Marney (Welsh 75), Mills, Fagan.
Subs not used: Duke, France.

Booked: Mills 21, Coles 62

Ref: A Penn

Att: 11,530