GRAHAM Branch came through his first 90 minutes of the season in last night's 2-1 win for the Clarets reserves against Birmingham at Turf Moor.

The versatile 29-year-old was the most experienced player in a very young side and he seemed to finish the game with no recurrence of the hamstring injury that has kept him out all season.

Branch again played at left back but unlike a fortnight ago at Barnsley he played the full match as he continued his rehabilitation.

One mazy run in the first half reminded the home fans of the ability that manager Stan Ternent has been deprived of since he was injured against Chelsea in pre-season but he is now on the verge of being fit for first team consideration.

Branch linked well with Brad Maylett down the left, he won a number of headers and, although he unsurprisingly tired near the end, he kept going till the final whistle.

Like the senior side the night before, the Clarets wore black armbands in memory of Tim Ellis, son of assistant manager Sam who had been tragically killed in a road traffic accident at Kirkham on Monday afternoon.

The accident continues to cast a dark shadow over life at Turf Moor and everyone at the club is still thinking of the Ellis family at this most difficult of times.

Clarets winger Glen Little was at Turf Moor last night following the hard earned draw at Gillingham on Tuesday night.

"We haven't coped well, as you can imagine we were stunned and we didn't really want to play," he said after the Gills game.

"We could have felt sorry for ourselves, but Sam wouldn't have wanted that.

"He wanted us to come and play with a lot of spirit and character and that's what we've done."

Meanwhile the Clarets have dropped to sixth place in the first division following Manchester City's win at Barnsley last night, seven points behind league leaders Wolves.