THE Clarets youngsters battled bravely before a late goal from Andy Robinson gave Tranmere a 2-1 win at Turf Moor last night.

With the senior players busy preparing for the FA Cup clash at Fulham on Sunday, the bulk of the side was made up of teenagers from Terry Pashley's youth squad. Not one of the Burnley side last night has ever played for the first team.

In contrast, the opposition was littered with experienced professionals including defender Kevin Gray who has nearly 400 league game behind him.

So it was to the credit of young striker Damien Hindle that he left him standing a couple of times before the interval in a lively display, linking well with Mark Rasmussen and Andrew Leeson down the right.

It was Hindle who gave Burnley an eighth minute lead when he converted from the spot after the referee spotted a shove on Liam Eves as he attacked a Leeson corner.

Six minutes later Hindle spun past Gray and burst to the by-line only to see Rasmussen fire over the bar from the pull back.

The visitors started to threaten and keeper James Salisbury had to make a couple of smart saves, the best from left winger Alex Hay.

After the break Rovers began to dominate the match and Salisbury continued to be the busier of the two keepers. It was therefore no surprise when striker Robinson got them level midway through the second half.

But it was harsh on the home side when they were denied even a point in the last minute as Robinson grabbed his second goal of the game.

Burnley: Salisbury, Leeson, Davis, Eves, Townsend, Rasmussen, Waine, Pilkington, O'Neill, Hindle, Chaplow. Subs: Richardson, Hale, Grimes, Pugh, Avery.

Tranmere: Howarth, Hinds, Loran, Gray, Olsen, Parkinson, Harrison, McQuire, Hay, A Robinson, Price. Subs: P Robinson, Patethorpe, Jennings, Griffiths.

BURNLEY RESERVES... 1 TRANMERE RESERVES... 2