Clarets reserves go into the Christmas break on the back of a hard fought 2-2 draw against Lancashire rivals Preston North End at Turf Moor.

In front of comfortably the biggest crowd of the season, Dimitri Papadopoulos, pictured, struck twice to make it five goals in his last two games, but he could have had more.

Burnley fielded two trialists, Greek central defender Giorgios Alexopoulos and Canadian left back Rick Titus.

Alexopoulos had played in the 5-2 win against Wolves last week but Titus, who has played fro Vancouver Whitecaps, only received clearance three hours before the game

On a bitter night the visitors took the lead six minutes before the break after a mistake by Clarets keeper Luigi Cennamo. He ran from his goal but failed to gather a through ball and Pawel Abbott squared the ball for Joe O'Neill to find the empty net.

Within three minutes Burnley were level. Alexopolous did well at the back and brought the ball forward. He found John Williamson who put Papadopoulos clear on goal, the Greek striker finding the net off the foot of the post.

In the 51st minute he found an even better finish after being given a chance by Joel Pilkington and Brad Maylett.

The side foot into the top right hand corner of the net was positively Owenesque and delighted the big crowd.

Papadopoulos had two good chances to net a second successive hat-trick but both were squandered, the second one after he had appeared to have done all the hard work by controlling the ball brilliantly on his chest but then he snatched at his shot and put the ball over the bar.

Shortly after that he made way for Matthew O'Neill which suggests he will again feature in the first team squad for Saturday's clash with Millwall at Turf Moor.

Almost immediately North End levelled, transfer listed midfielder Stephen Robinson converting a spot kick after Mark McGregor was adjudged to have felled John Bailey.

Chances came and went at either end in the closing 20 minutes as both sides threatened to grab a winner.

Preston's O'Neill wasted a couple of good openings while at the other end Tony Ellis fired a shot against the post after good work by Titus.

And it was the experienced striker who almost won the game in the 88th minute, his sweet lob being tipped over the bar by back-pedalling Kelham O'Hanlon in the visitor's goal.

Burnley: Cennamo, McGregor, Alexopoulos, Wilkinson, Titus, Shandran, Waine, Pilkington, Maylett, Richardson (Ellis h-t), Papadopoulos (O'Neill 67). Subs not used: Salisbury, Scott, Davis.

Preston North End: O'Hanlon, Quinn, Kempson, Eaton, Douglas (Nesa 67), Barry-Murphy, Skora, Robinson, Bailey, Abbott (Keane h-t), O'Neill. Subs not used: Mercer, Cromwell, Madden BURNLEY RESERVES...2

PRESTON NORTH END...2