Clarets' youth team recovered from the disappointment of missing a hatful of chances to beat Blackpool 3-2 on Saturday morning in a Youth Alliance League game.

Manager Terry Pashley claimed: "It would have been an injustice if we had not won.

"We missed loads of chances in the first half, they scored a long range goal and we were one down at the break.

"Joel Pilkington alone could have had a hat-trick, having two goals disallowed."

It was Pilkington who levelled the scores after the break but a mistake by James Salisbury in the Clarets goal allowed the home side to take the lead.

Matthew O'Neil, who scored a stunning goal with his left foot for the reserves against Oldham recently, matched that with a stunning strike with his right boot to equalise a second time.

But it was the winning goal, six minutes from time, that gave Pashley most pleasure. "Substitute Paul Barrett got the goal, putting it away from 15 yards, but it was a really good team goal, a flowing move.

"Having created such a lot of chances it was a relief to see the winner go in. We now just have to put in some hard work in relation to our crossing, shooting a general finishing."

With the youngsters enjoying a half term break from college this week it is an excellent chance for Pashley to give them more work on the training ground, although he said: "You can't just pick on one area of the game, you have to put the work in on all aspects.

"Sometimes there are just not enough hours in the day to do everything you want to."

Yesterday the youngsters were forced to train on the Astroturf after more heavy rain fell on Gawthorpe.

"That is great for practising slick passing and pinging the ball about but the problem is that it takes a toll on the players' legs," he said.

The next league game is on Saturday morning when they welcome Oldham Athletic.

Meanwhile six members of the club's Under 16 side have been included in the county squad: James Barrow, Andy Carr, James Bronham, Kieron McConville, Danny Whittaker and Ed O'Neil.