BURNLEY missed out on a place in the Lancashire FA Senior Cup final, losing 2-1 to Bury in tonight's semi-final at Turf Moor.

The Clarets trailed 1-0 at the break and the Shakers doubled their lead just before the hour.

But substitute Ntumba Massanka sparked a fightback for the young Clarets with a well-taken goal soon after his introduction.

Jason Gilchrist might have equalised in the final few minutes, but could not convert and take the game into extra time.

Massanka's strike had sparked the game into life, but Burnley had left it too late.

Credit to young professionals Jack Errington, captain Alex Coleman, Luke Conlan, Luke Gallagher and Micah Evans though, who were this week told their contracts would not be renewed with the club.

All five are fighting for their futures, albeit elsewhere, but still gave plenty of effort to the cause. Coleman was particularly impressive, barking orders, keeping the Clarets organised and focused, and encouraging his team-mates when their deficit was doubled, knowing they could do better. And so it eventually proved.

The first half was largely uneventful until Ashley Grimes struck in the 34th minute, controlling with his right foot and firing in with his left to give Conor Mitchell no chance of saving.

Either side of the opener Steven Hewitt had hit the side netting from Conlan's well worked cutback, while Gallagher ended a neat passing move by firing straight at goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook.

Burnley will be disappointed with the manner in which the second goal was conceded - a thumping but free header for Nathan Cameron from Lewis Young's corner.

The fresh legs of Massanka gave the Clarets a spark, and after he fluffed a low volley, sending it tamely towards Charles-Cook after a high ball dropped kindly for him in the box, he got Burnley back in it.

The forward latched on to Jason Gilchrist's clever flick from the left of the box and finished well.

Gilchrist was presented with a good chance to level in the 83rd minute after spinning away from his marker to create space for himself in the box, but pulled his shot agonisingly wide of the left post.

Massanka then went for glory after Cameron Howieson had laid the ball off to him 20 yards out, but blazed over in the final minute and Burnley bowed out.

Burnley: Conor Mitchell; Jack Errington, Alex Coleman, Tom Anderson, Luke Conlan; Micah Evans (Jamie Frost 82), Luke Gallagher (Nathan Lowe 82), Cameron Howieson, Bradley Jackson (Ntumba Massanka 68); Steven Hewitt; Jason Gilchrist.

Subs: Callum Jakovlevs, Daly Bury: Reice Charles-Cook, Marcus Poscha, Richard Hinds Hinds, Nathan Cameron, Ben Potter, James Burke, Scott Burgess, Andy Procter, Ashley Grimes, Lewis Young, Temitope Obadeyi.

Subs: Rhys Williams, Robert Bourne, Sam Gibson, George Miller.