A STRONG Burnley reserve side missed the chance to go top of the Avon Insurance Premier Division with a disappointing home defeat against Sheffield United.

Even the presence of Robbie Blake, Alan Moore, Lennie Johnrose, Andy Payton and skipper for the night Arthur Gnohere could not stop them recording their second loss at Turf Moor this season.

A flurry of chances late in the game may have seen them salvage something from the game but Blades' keeper Wilko de Vogt was in inspired form, repelling everything that was thrown at him.

Trailing to a double strike from Lewis Killeen, Ronnie Jepson's men went for broke in the closing stages. Five minutes from time second half substitute Dimitri Papadopoulos went through on the keeper, the ball broke to Brad Maylett but his shot was somehow blocked.

A minute later Gnohere fed Maylett who laid the ball to another sub Tony Ellis but his fierce drive was parried.

From that corner young defender Earl Davis sent a powerful header towards the top corner but again de Vogt was equal to it.

The final chance fell to Papadopoulos who was put through by Andrew Waine but was again foiled by the in form stopper.

The Greek Under-21 international had livened the Clarets up after a lacklustre first half display that saw Killeen give the visitors the lead after a piece of poor judgement by Luigi Cennamo.

A long ball forward put Killeen in behind the Burnley defence, the Greek keeper rushed from his goal and was lobbed allowing the striker to find the empty net.

As half time approach Blake, who was keen to impress manager Stan Ternent on the day he had agreed to bring in David Johnson on loan, forced two saves in two minutes from de Vogt, although neither shot from outside the box threatened to find the net. The introduction of Papadopoulos for Andy Payton did liven up the Burnley side and he should have done better within two minutes after Moore put him through.

The pass called for a first time left foot foot but Papadopoulos learnt that he who hesitates is lost as he tried to take on the keeper and allowed the defence to cover.

The crucial second goal came 12 minutes from time as Burnley were caught pushing forward, Tyrone Thompson fed sub Mark Ward and his early cross was touched home by Killeen.

Burnley's players will not have long to lick their wounds as they have to travel to Birmingham City tomorrow night for another game.

BURNLEY: Cennamo; Leeson, E Davis, Gnohere, Williamson; Maylett, Johnrose (Waine 80), Pilkington, A Moore; Payton (Papadopoulos h-t), Blake (Ellis 64). Subs not used: Salisbury, Rasmussen.

SHEFFIELD UNITED: de Vogt; Doane, Cryan, Sandford (Croissant 76), Nicholson; Mallon, Thompson, Santos (Ward 70), Burley; Smith, Killeen (Hurst 84)

BURNLEY RESERVES...0 SHEFFIELD UNITED RES...2