BURNLEY RESERVES 3 WEST BROM RESERVES 1

A COUPLE of late goals ensured a deserved victory for the Clarets reserves against West Bromwich Albion at Turf Moor last night.

A fierce volley from Northern Ireland international James Quinn looked to have earned the Baggies a point, cancelling out Andy Payton's first half header.

But within seconds of being pegged back, Brad Maylett broke down the right flank, his cross was turned towards goal by sub Tony Ellis and youngster Matthew O'Neill slid the ball home from virtually on the line.

The lead was doubled and the scoreline given a more realistic look in stoppage time. Andrew Waine, another of Terry Pashley's youth squad, sent a great pass down the right for Mark Rasmussen to chase and his ball across the six yard box was expertly converted by the experienced Ellis.

Following a couple of postponements, it was the first game in over three weeks for Ronnie Jepson's side but he was able to name an experienced line-up despite the fact that the first team had a match just 24 hours earlier.

Maylett, who was a second half sub at Walsall, was a lively threat down the right and nearly set up the opener for Andy Payton in the 12th minute but both he and £1million signing Robbie Blake contrived to miss from close range.

It was to prove a frustrating night for Blake who is working hard to get to full fitness for the first time since his move from Bradford City.

At times he held the ball up well, he forced a good save from Daniel Crane with a free kick and one delightful through ball gave Maylett a chance in the second half but things did not really go for him.

It was his experienced strike partner who did open the scoring with a typically clinical header on the half hour.

Spanish trialist Victor Torres Mestre produced a number of good crosses with left foot and this one was perfect for Padiham Predator Payton who was eager to show watching manager Stan Ternent that he is an attacking option for the first team.

It was a well deserved lead as the Baggies had carried little or no threat on Nik Michopoulos's goal as the Greek keeper made his return after injury.

Young O'Neill showed a willingness to run at defenders from his left midfield position and Waine and Joel Pilkington again looked promising in the centre of midfield as West Brom struggled to get in to the game.

No one was more frustrated than Quinn who was booked for kicking the ball away in the first half and enjoyed little or no service until he lashed the ball past Michopoulos from Matthew Turner's cross late on.

It would have been an undeserved point had it not been for Burnley's late strikes which confirmed their position near the top of the Avon Insurance Premier Division.

Burnley: Michopoulos; McGregor, Davis, Thomas, Mestre; Maylett (Rasmussen 84), Waine, Pilkington, O'Neill; Payton (Ellis 61), Blake. Subs not used: Cennamo, Shandran, Leeson.

West Bromwich Albion: Crane; Gowling, Adams, Mkandawire, Cummings; Turner, Collins, Briggs, Dyer; Carey-Bertram, Quinn.