Prevent .blur() on input when search reset button clicked

I have a problem when i click on ‘x’ button inside a search fiend i am loosing focus from that input field and keyboard disappears. However inside of the clearSearchBar function I am setting focus() back to input element to show the keyboard, however this results in keyboard ‘flicker’ effect (keyboard disappears and reappears immediately) this does not look good…

How an I prevent the input from loosing focus which in turn will not hide the keyboard?

Any help appreciated.

@Calendee
@kikados

I was wondering if @adam could point me to right direction?
I know you are super buys with Ionic2 but anyways… let me know if you you a sec.
Thanks a lot!