Burnley Reserves 0 Carlisle United Reserves 0

IRISH striker Kyle Lafferty stole the limelight as Burnley Reserves picked up their first point of the season.

The former Northern Ireland schoolboy international, signed as an apprentice this summer, put in an all-action display that was only lacking a winning goal for Mark Yates' second string.

Lafferty led the Carlisle defence a merry dance throughout and reserve team boss Yates later admitted: "I was very impressed with Kyle.

"He showed terrific ability in the air and on the deck, with his awareness and his touch and he is someone we need to look after.

"He has a great frame and he just needs to fill it out now. But he's still only 16 and it must have been so exciting for the fans to see him turn in such a performance. I certainly liked what I saw."

Lafferty volleyed just over the angle early on and then forced United keeper Keiran Westwood into a flying save with an instinctive effort.

Another volley was just off target as the Clarets, with Brian Jensen largely untested in goal, continued to take the game to Carlisle.

However, it was Matt O'Neill who came closest to breaking the deadlock on the hour, weaving his way into the box and curling a right foot shot off the inside of Westwood's post with the keeper stranded.

Alex Taylor and O'Neill both forced the impressive Westwood into more smart saves as the pressure mounted.

But even though the deserved winner failed to materialise, Yates was delighted with his side's contribution.

"I asked for a performance after the 4-1 defeat at Rochdale and I feel I got it," he said. "Even though results at this level are not results orientated, we want to win by playing the right way.

"We passed the ball about from the start and looked confident throughout."