CAROLINA RAILHAWKS U23 2, BURNLEY 1

BURNLEY failed to get their 2008-09 pre-season campaign off to a winning start in America, despite going in front courtesy of Wade Elliott's brilliant solo effort.

The right winger's 50-yard run through the middle culminated in him beating three defenders before tucking the ball home to break the deadlock in the 54th minute.

But the lead was short-lived as Carolina RailHawks Under 23s, who are nearing the end of their Premier Development League season, staged an impressive fightback almost immediately in Cary, North Carolina, where the Clarets have been based since Tuesday.

Midfielder Corben Bone was tackled on the edge of the area by Graham Alexander after drawing three defenders, but the ball spilled loose to Zack Schilawski, who hammered in an equaliser two minutes later.

Carolina midfielder Tyler Lassiter came off the bench just after the hour mark, and it didn't take him long to have an impact.

Bone was again involved in the build-up as he picked out an unmarked Lassiter on the left of the area, and the substitute caught goalkeeper Brian Jensen, and the WakeMed Soccer Park crowd, by surprise as he unleashed a left-foot screamer that sailed beyond the Danish stopper.

“We don’t like losing games, nobody does,” said Burnley manager Owen Coyle. “But I think we scored a terrific goal. All the credit to the RailHawks here. They scored two fantastic goals; two great finishes.

"We’re disappointed from a defensive point of view. We should have cleared both opportunities. But we’re better for the experience."

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