Claret Cork’s fury at flag protester

SOMEWHERE on the undercard of mob rule, Burnley’s rectitude was exemplary.

From substitute Chris Wood’s two goals to Ashley Barnes – whose opener was the catalyst for insurrection – taking out a pitch invader with the best professional foul you’ll ever see, the Clarets’ application was a tribute to a well-run club.

But skipper Jack Cork admitted the players were disconcerted by an intruder brandishing a corner flag.

Cork, hoping for an England call-up this week, said: “It was a bit weird, and disappointing to see the crowd react like that, but we know it was nothing to do with us.

“When a fan comes on the pitch swinging a corner flag, and you’re not quite sure what he’s going to do with it, it’s not nice to see.

“It seemed like a while before the security people came on to deal with it.

“You feel for the people in the stadium who feared for their kids’ safety, and you feel for Mark Noble, who shouldn’t have to deal with that sort of thing.

“We spoke to one or two of their players afterwards, but there’s not much you can say when you’ve won 3-0 and you don’t want to rub their noses in it.”