MICHAEL Duff said his Under 23 side's 6-1 thrashing by Sheffield United in the Professional Development League was a harsh lesson to learn from.

First team players Dean Marney and Nahki Wells used the game as part of their continued recovery from injury, with midfielder Marney playing more than an hour and striker Wells completing the full game.

But they were the only positives on a disappointing night at the Tameside Stadium, the home of Curzon Ashton, on Monday as Burnley’s four-match unbeaten run came to an emphatic end against a side who went top of the north group.

“It was a harsh lesson,” said Duff. “If you want to turn up and not run around, not head it and not kick it, it doesn’t matter what you do with the ball.

“I thought the two first-team lads were outstanding.

“Deano had a real upturn from his first two 45 minutes, where he was just easing himself in.

“It’s going to take a little bit of time and I thought Nahki was brilliant. He just kept going.

“But our lads have got to learn from that. It’s the harsh reality of budding, aspiring professional footballers.

“They need to remember that every time they walk over the white line. If you think you can just observe a game and jog around like that, that’s what happens.”

Dwight McNeil scored a spectacular long-range strike for the Clarets, but at 5-1 it served as little consolation and Sheffield United went on to hit them for six with Blades striker Tyler Smith grabbing a hat-trick.

“It’s proved a kick in the backside,” said Duff.

“We’ve gone a month (unbeaten) and people have said nice things and all of a sudden you take your foot off the gas and that’s what happens.

“It’s a stark reminder of the reality of where they are.

“They need to remember sometimes that they are representing a Premier League football club and Burnley Football Club.

“One thing that the first team, who we are aspiring to be, is, is that no matter what happens, whatever the result, Man City away (or whoever), they know they have been in a game.

“I’m not sure Sheffield United will have walked off the pitch having the same thoughts. That’s the most disappointing thing really.”