Defeat for reserves at North End

Michael Duff - played the full 90 minutes

In terms of the result it wasn't a successful night for the Clarets, but in reality we received a boost with Michael Duff playing the entire ninety minutes and midfielder Alan Mahon also getting an hour in on his return to fitness.

There was around half an hour gone when Preston took the lead with a goal from Joe Anyinsah. He made a run from deep and chipped the ball over the advancing Gabor Kiraly who had no chance of keeping it out.

We looked as though we could get back into things but four minutes from the break the home side doubled their advantage with a header from Tom Smyth following a free kick taken by Lewis Neal.

It was end to end stuff in the second half. Both goalkeepers made good saves and it did look as though we might get back into it. But we just couldn't find a way through and it was Preston who scored again with a late third from trialist Harry Whalley. He headed home from close range.

Watching Burnley boss Owen Coyle was happy enough though. He said: "The result is of secondary importance to getting some important players back. In all fairness, we were probably the better team but we lost three bad goals. But there were a lot of positives from it.

Michael Duff played 90 minutes and Alan Mahon got an hour, so we are delighted with that. Other boys who needed a game, like John Spicer, Garreth O'Connor and Stephen Jordan all got a run out and Mark Randall played another half, so I am not disappointed at all.

"The fact that Michael came through with flying colours is great news and Alan getting his first hour for two months is fantastic. We were only going to give him 45 minutes, but he felt fine so we gave him an hour.

"They are both big boosts and we would hope there will be no reaction now ahead of an important run of games."

The teams were;

Preston: Chris Neal, Mike Aspin, Ray Shearwood, Harry Whalley, Neal Trotman (Dominic Collins), Phil Appiah, Danny Mayor, Nathan Fairhurst, Tom Smyth (Michael Conchie), Joe Anyinsah, Lewis Neal (Adam Barton). Subs not used: Jack Cudworth, Miller.

Burnley: Gabor Kiraly, Dean Stott, Michael Duff, Chris Lynch, Stephen Jordan, Garreth O'Connor, Mark Randall, John Spicer, Alan Mahon, Alex MacDonald, Wes Fletcher. Subs: Stef Ritchie, Thomas Bradley, Adam Kay, Alex-Ray Harvey, Chris Anderson.