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Wes Fletcher was injured and he was missing as were Chris Anderson, Alex-Ray Harvey and Michael King who were all rested and on the bench. Chris Lynch should have sat this one out too but Dan Brown had to pull out unwell just ahead of kick off.
It was like Celebrity Squares in the stands too. Shrewsbury boss Paul Simpson was there, believed to be watching one of the Preston players, and for the second time in a short space of time there was a very recognisable grey haired scout who goes by the name of Jimmy Mullen.
With a midfield four of three schoolboys and 17-year-old Oliver Devenney I thought we might find it difficult, but it wasn't the case and although we started hesitantly we improved more and more as the game went on.
After a goalless first half we scored twice early in the second half with both goals coming from Liam Newman, his first reserve team goals. The first came after he'd headed against the bar. The ball dropped for Ross Wilson who played it back for Newman to score from close range.
Very soon afterwards he doubled the lead. Played in he hit his shot right into the corner to the goalkeeper's right giving him no chance.
From that point we dominated for some time and it was only in the last fifteen minutes or so that Preston came close to troubling Danny McDonald in goal. He was forced into a couple of late saves, one an exceptional save down to his left, but there was no doubting that this very young Burnley side deserved to take the points.
Five youth players have just signed professional deals, and there are other very good players coming through behind them. The future very definitely is bright.
The teams tonight were;
Burnley: Danny McDonald, Kenny Strickland, Nik Kudiersky, Chris Lynch, Jake McEneaney, Ross Wilson, Oliver Devenney, Dave Lynch, Thomas Taylor, Dom Knowles, Liam Newman (Dil Chaggar). Subs not used: Stef Ritchie, Chris Anderson, Alex-Ray Harvey, Michael King.
Preston: Andy Murphy, Dean Stott, Sam Hart, Nathan Fairhurst, Tom Smyth, Dominic Collins, Scott Davidson, George Miller, Rob Turner, Adam Barton, Jamie Proctor. Subs: Tom Owens, Jack Cudworth, Will Hayhurst, Ryan McGreevy, James Walker.