BRAVE Burnley were denied Youth Cup glory by two extra time goals at Turf Moor last night.
The Clarets youngsters put up a terrific fight against Oldham after both sides had ridiculously been reduced to 10 men in the opening quarter.
But luck deserted Terry Pashley's boys, who visibly tired in extra time to allow strikes from Jason Taylor and substitute Robert Walker to land the Latics the Lancashire FA Youth Cup.
Referee Mike Pike made his mark early in the game, harshly sending off Burnley's Darrell Avery for a high challenge on opposite number Daniel Forde, who in turn also saw red for a retaliatory push.
Football League official Pike should surely have made allowances for emotions running high in a prestigious cup final.
And Avery in particular was distraught at the sending off, which thankfully did not spoil the spectacle.
In fact, with more room for both teams to operate, the game developed in to a ding-dong affair, with Burnley wide men Marc Pugh and Tom Ince always looking menacing.
However, a frantic first half ended with neither keeper being tested - Clarets stopper Michael Hale being well protected by the impressive central defensive pairing of Ryan Townsend and the immaculate Neal Trotman.
However, after the restart Oldham finally breached the Burnley back line twice in a matter of minutes and Hale came to the rescue.
First the exposed Clarets keeper dived at the feet of Chris Hall, then denied Matthew Barlow in identical fashion.
And those let-offs gave Burnley the belief this could well be their night. Substitutes Nicky Platt and Cayne Hanley soon combined for the latter to round Oldham keeper Charles Treacy and see his cross-cum-shot hacked off the line.
Hanley then broke through on the right, only for Treacy to make his first meaningful save low to his right.
Extra time began with the hosts still on top, cheered on by a near four-figure crowd.
Hanley teed up Ince and the pint-sized winger brought the save of the night from Treacy at full stretch.
And that stop proved pivotal as Oldham snatched the lead with just seconds of the first period of added-on time remaining.
A long throw into the Burnley six-yard box fell fortuitously to Taylor, who gave Hale no chance with an instant shot on the turn.
Alex Taylor agonisingly came within a whisker of sending the final into a penalty shoot-out with a rising drive as time cruelly ticked away.
But in the very last minute, Oldham made sure their name was on the trophy as Walker rifled an unstoppable drive past Hale from 25 yards.
Burnley: Michael Hale 8, Gary Carter 7, Danny Pitham 7, Neal Trotman 8, Ryan Townsend 7, Darrell Avery, Marc Pugh 8, Joe Booth 7 (Nicky Platt 68, 7), Tom Ince
BURNLEY 0
OLDHAM 2
(After extra time)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article