BURNLEY have no time to lick their wounds following last Sunday's final-ball defeat to Church as they prepare for a Worsley Cup semi-final clash with Transco Lancashire League champions Bacup at Turf Moor tomorrow.

Andy McLeod's men tossed away a golden opportunity to reach the last four of the Inter League Trophy when James Anderson bowled three wides in the last over to allow Church to score the nine runs they needed to go through.

But professional Dale Benkenstein believes Burnley can use the experience of their cup calamity to their advantage when they look to upset the odds against Bacup and repeat their 1997 final appearance.

"I think having scored only 135 it was a really good effort. We defended it really well and that's one positive thing," he said.

"When they wanted three runs off the last ball we really should have clinched it, but that's the way it goes and I've just booked it down to being a brilliant game.

"After a game like that you look at so many little things that could have made a difference. You think about one run here or there and that might just sharpen us up.

"It's made us realise that you've got to be sharp throughout the whole game.

"Sometimes you can slacken off for three or five overs and then think you pull it back together but you can't really afford to do that and hopefully we have learned that."

Church also beat Bacup last weekend and that shock result in the league will give Burnley extra belief as they seek to meet either Colne or Ramsbottom on August 5. Benkenstein added: "It does boil down to on the day and in this league anyone can beat anyone else. It really is about who's sharpest on the day and being at home hopefully we can make sure we are the sharpest.

"They have probably got the best pro in the league (Shaun Young) but in the league he bowls 20-25 overs and David Ormerod does the same. The cup format does help us there because we've got five or six bowlers and they've got to find extra bowlers who don't bowl as much in the league."

While Bacup also chase the league title, the Worsley Cup offers Burnley their last chance of silverware.

"I think it really keeps the club and the guys buzzing," said Benkenstein, who has set his sights on a repeat of the 1997 semi-final when he made 86 and David Brown 92 to see off Todmorden.

"There are only two or three who have played in semi-finals or finals before and the guys are really excited about it.

"We have got quite a few young guys and it's a really big game for them. The whole club is alive but I'm just trying to keep it like another game because I don't want them to worry too much about it.

"The aim when a pro comes over is to help the guys improve. They seemed to have a disappointing season last year but getting to the semi-finals of the Worsley Cup and going close last weekend shows that they can play good cricket.

"We are improving every game and getting to the final would be the cherry on the top."

Benkenstein scored over 1,000 league runs for Burnley four years ago and is passed the 500-mark in league and cup this summer.

However, the South African also has a further string to his bow as a bowler and a repeat of his four-wicket haul in the win over Accrington in the previous round could give Burnley every chance of getting through.

He said: "The nice thing is that I'm bowling a lot more. The last time I was here after about the fifth game my back was finished but the club was good enough to let me play as a batsman.

"At least now if I don't do anything with the bat I can put my 10 overs in and help out in the field."