BURNLEY Reserves' mini-revival came to a grinding halt as Sheffield United cruised to victory at Turf Moor.

Despite having a handful of first team players on show, the Clarets fell to a first defeat in four games courtesy of a late goal from Ashley Sestanovich.

But reserve team boss Ronnie Jepson, clearly hampered by having no strikers to choose from through injuries, was happy with his side's dogged display.

Jepson said: "I was asking some young lads to play out of position and the balance of the team wasn't right, but I was delighted with the work ethic.

"Their youngsters were more experienced than ours, but I thought the boys worked incredibly hard.

"We knew it was going to be difficult with the side I had to put out, and only having three substitutes.

"But with a little luck in the last third, we could still have got something out of the game, so I am far from disappointed."

Bradley Orr was the pick of the bunch in a side including the likes of Dean West, Luke Chadwick, Paul Weller and Alan Moore.

And the on-loan Newcastle midfielder came close to opening the scoring in the first half with a rising drive that was just too high.

Stand-in striker Mark Pugh then tested Blades keeper Tom Lindley with a deflected drive that was well held.

But clear goalscoring opportunities were at a premium throughout against a strong United back line.

And at the opposite end, only poor finishing by Blades strikers Billy Sharp and Jon Forte kept the game scoreless in the opening half.

Pugh fired over from inside the box shortly after the restart as Burnley looked to move up a gear.

However, Sestanovich settled the contest fifteen minutes from time, rising highest to galnce a free kick into the left hand corner of Paul Rachubka's goal.

And Forte came close to adding a second late on with a chip over Rachubka that bobbled against a post.

Burnley: Rachubka, West, Carter, Pitham, Townsend, Orr (Avery 84), Chadwick, Weller, Pugh, A Moore, Ince (Booth 79).

BURNLEY RES...0

SHEFF UTD RES...1