Burnley Reserves 0 Bury Reserves 1: Steve Davis' first game as Burnley reserve team boss ended in a surprise defeat to struggling Bury.

The Clarets fielded seven first team squad members, including central defenders Frank Sinclair and Wayne Thomas, midfielders Chris McCann, Wade Elliott, John Spicer, Danny Karbassiyoon and youngster Duane Courney in a surprise striking role.

But the Shakers second string, with Chris Brass playing against his former club, withstood a second half barrage after Jordan Stepian slotted home the decisive goal four minutes after the break.

Davis said: "In the second half we had enough chances to have won the game comfortably, but a mixture of not getting shots off and good blocking from their point of view stopped us scoring.

"On the whole though, I think it was a good performance. We had a lot of senior professionals playing whose attitude and work rate was first class.

"They have all worked hard and given their lot and in the end we are disappointed to lose to a sloppy goal from a set piece."

Fit-again Clarets keeper Mark Crossley was in sparkling form in the first half, making two terrific saves at full stretch to deny Nicky Adams and Tom Kennedy's fierce free kick.

Eight minutes before half time though, the teenager could do nothing about Tom Youngs' close range effort which thankfully cannoned back out off the underside of the crossbar.

Burnley ended the half the stronger, with Karbassiyoon wasting a good chance, John Spicer seeing his shot hacked off the line and Bury keeper Aaron Grundy performing heroics to fingertip the ball over the bar after Cayne Hanley's shot spun up off Courtney.

However, the break broke Burnley's stride and unmarked striker Stepian fired Bury ahead four minutes after the break with a poacher's finish.

After that, it was a backs to the wall effort from the visitors, who were thankful to hesitant finishing and resolute defending to keep the slender lead intact.

Burnley: Crossley, Henry (Kay 74), Reilly, McCann, Sinclair, Thomas, Elliott, Spicer, Hanley (Pugh 49), Karbassiyoon, Courtney. Subs not used: Platt, Matthews, Blackler.