TEN man Blackburn Rovers beat Burnley 1-0 in this evening's FA Youth Cup semi final first leg at Ewood Park.

Raheem Hanley's first half header was enough to give Rovers the initiative going into Wednesday night's second leg at Turf Moor, but Burnley's second half showing will give them confidence they can pull off a comeback.

Rovers dominated the first half against their lower league opponents and would have been disappointed not to have taken a bigger lead into the break.

Curtis Haley, Osayamen Osawe and Raheem Hanley all went close to an opener, before the latter did give the hosts the initiative on 33.

The impressive Osawe beat Burnley right back Josh Cook and his cross was glanced home by the head of Hanley.

At the other end, Burnley were hanging in there and went close with a couple of long range strikes from Steven Hewitt and Luke Gallagher.

It was a different game after the break as the Clarets took the game to their hosts, having been out played for much of the first half.

Aryn Williams volleyed wide from close range on 47 minutes before Gallagher dragged a shot wide after racing clear of Rovers' defence minutes later.

Haley then saw a header deflected against the bar as Rovers went close to doubling their lead with O'Sullivan also inches away from a second goal.

Rovers' night suddenly got harder as centre back Jack O'Connell was sent off for his second bookable offence 10 minutes from time.