BURNLEY RESERVES 1, BOLTON WANDERERS RESERVES 2

A STUNNING free-kick from central defender John Boardman wasn't enough to stop the Clarets reserves from slipping to defeat at a freezing Turf Moor last night.

Boardman whipped home a sweet 20-yard effort with his left foot five minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute following a storming run from Brad Maylett.

The equaliser from the former Liverpool youngster looked likely to provide the platform for a Burnley win as they produced a lively second-half showing.

But nine minutes from time Bolton broke clear and Olaf Sorranson crossed from the right for Emanuelle Morini to sweep home the winner at the far post.

The visitors had been the better side before the break and Burnley keeper Craig Mawson made an excellent close-range save from Kieran O'Connor before being beaten in the 24th-minute by a lovely curling effort from Paul Wheatcroft.

Mawson then tipped over a shot from Sorranson before Burnley re-shuffled their line-up during the interval and came out in more purposeful mood.

Shortly after Boardman's leveller Dean West tested Chris Williams with a low shot following another free-kick before Bolton defender Gary Haveron sliced a Gordon Armstrong cross just wide of the far post as Burnley looked for a second.

Maylett frequently threatened down the right-hand side but the Clarets' last chance went begging when John Williamson played in Anthony Shandran only for the striker to drag his shot wide a couple of minutes before Bolton banked the points.

Burnley reserves: Mawson, West, Armstrong, Brass, Williamson, Kevan, Maylett, Mellon (Leeson 48), Shandran, Scott (Boardman 46), Devenney (Pilkington 46).