BURNLEY Under-23s booked their place in the Lancashire FA Senior Cup semi-final after a 3-0 victory against Bolton at the Eddie Davies Academy.

Dara Costelloe bagged a brace, with Lewis Richardson also getting on the scoresheet in an impressive second half showing.

Bolton nearly took an early lead when Sam Olawumi won the ball from Richard Nartey and tried to go round Lukas Jensen, but the Danish goalkeeper made a vital stop.

The hosts then had an effort cleared off the line from Max Conway’s deep free kick but referee Nathanael Cox had already blown for a foul.

At the other end, Owen Dodgson’s cross was slightly too high for Ne-Jai Tucker at the far post after Lamine Toure had lost the ball on the edge of his own box.

Jensen then made another smart stop to deny Conway from a tight angle before Danny Jones’ shot was blocked by a defender.

Ellis Litherland did well to deny Joe McGlynn at his near post following a dangerous attack on the stroke of half time.

Early in the second half, Jones won the ball in a dangerous area but Jensen managed to deal with his cross-shot fairly comfortably.

Costelloe came alive after the break and gave Wanderers a scare when he cut inside and skipped past a challenge before firing straight at Litherland.

But the winger managed to get on the scoresheet moments later, giving the Bolton goalkeeper absolutely no chance with a thumping strike that flew in off the bar.

Richardson then went close after more good work by Costelloe but his effort was deflected wide by a defender.

The forward doubled Burnley’s lead moments later, beating Litherland with a clinical strike from inside the box.

And the Clarets wrapped up the result 11 minutes from time when Costelloe slotted home from Tucker’s cut back.

Substitute Sam Unwin nearly added a fourth in the final stages but he was unable to turn home from close range.

Costelloe also went close late on but Litherland made a smart stop from close range to deny the Irishman his hat trick.

Michael Jackson’s men will now face Accrington Stanley in the semi-final.

Bolton: Litherland, Frimpong, Halford, Burgess, Toure, Tweedley, Jones, Pettifer, Olawumi, Henry, Conway

Subs: Alexander, Kamara, Ahmed

Burnley: Jensen, Armstrong, Nartey, Williams, Dodgson, Costelloe, Woods, Helm, Tucker, McGlynn, Richardson

Subs: Thomas, Connolly, Gomez-Mancini, Gallagher, Unwin