RONNIE Jepson refused to read the riot act after Burnley's reserve string crashed 7-1 at Wrexham last night.

In fact Jepson felt that the younger side will have gained more from the defeat than competing in the Youth Alliance.

The Clarets were only trailing 2-1 at the interval and conceded five goals in the final half hour.

"We pretty much played all the kids and they had a smashing first hour," said Jespon.

"We hit the woodwork three times and could have gone in at half-time in front rather than 2-1 down, but we were beaten by some stunning goals in the end.

"It is never nice to lose by this kind of margin, but to be honest I think the lads will have learned more from this than beating Blackpool juniors on a weekend.

"We didn't go mad after the game, but we had a good chat and I think they all now what they need to focus on the improve both as a team and as individual players."

Damian Hindle bagged the Clarets solitary goal, while Mitchell Thomas returned to action for the first time in five months.

"Mitchell did about 50 minutes, but then came off as he was feeling a bit sore," explained Jepson.

"He was really our only senior pro out there so when he came off things changed, but Wrexham had a good side out and it is only pitting themselves against players of that standard that will help our youngsters progress.

"I thought Joel Pilkington had a smashing game for us and Andrew Leeson and Paul Scott had pleasing games, but I was more than happy with the effort that all the kids put in."