Three goals and a clean sheet will have pleased Burnley boss Owen Coyle as his side saw off the threat of Oldham Athletic in the second round of the Carling Cup.

It was a solid performance from the Clarets - and a first half header from Chris McCann and two strikes after the break from Martin Paterson, taking his tally to five in five games, was enough to see them run out 3-0 winners.

Livewire Paterson had the first effort after just three minutes when he latched onto a through ball from Wade Elliott.

But the £1m-plus signing from Scunthorpe hit the side netting with his instinctive effort.

McCann drove an effort just over the bar on eight minutes as the Clarets continued to carve out the better chances in the opening exchanges.

But the Irish midfielder did get the first goal of the night four minutes later following a superb move.

Chris Eagles diagonal ball picked out Wade Elliott and his cross was prefection for McCann to head firmly past Greg Fleming in the Athletic goal.

That lead was almost doubled a couple of minutes later, but Kevin McDonald could only fire his shot into the David Fishwick Stand after Christian Kalvenes had his effort well saved by Fleming.

The Latics had their first effort on 18 minutes, but Chris O'Grady's snap shot, after fending off the attentions of Clarke Carlisle on the edge of the area, trickled wide of Brian Jensen's goal.

As the Clarets looked to turn their first half possession into another goal, McCann played a delightful one-two with Paterson on the edge of the box on 37 minutes.

But with Fleming advancing from the visitors' goal, the young midfielder could only nudge his shot wide.

It was proving to be a good performance though from the Clarets and Paterson doubled the Clarets lead on 63 minutes, slotting home the rebound after a surging run form instigator Eagles.

The former Manchester United striker sped past two defenders and cruised into the box to force a sprawling save from Fleming. But Paterson showed his predatory instincts to tuck away the loose ball.

Jensen made a great reaction save at the near post on 69 minutes to deny substitute Lewis Alessandra a goal with his first touch.

But thge game was up 10 minutes form time when Paterson added his second, taking down a long ball and breaking before prodding the ball home under the body of Fleming for his fifth goal in as many games this season.

Incredibly, he had a late chance to grab his hat-trick, but his 82nd minute shot trickled across the face of the goal and agonisingly came back off the upright.

Still, the damage had been done and the cock-a-hoop Clarets now await Saturday's draw with huge interest.

Burnley: Jensen, Duff (Blake 57), Carlisle, Caldwell, Kalvenes, Alexander, Elliott, McCann (Mahon 79), K McDonald (Gudjonsson 57), Eagles, Paterson
Subs: Penny, Akinbiyi, Jordan, Anderson.

Booked: Elliott (26, foul)

Oldham: Fleming, Eardley, Lomax, Stam, Hazell, Allott, Maher (Lee 57), Whitaker, Smalley (Alessandra 57), Taylor, O'Grady (Hughes 57).
Subs: Crossley, Kalala, Stephens, Liddell.
Booked: Hazell (90, foul)

Attendance: 5,528