BURNLEY missed out on a place in the Lancashire FA Senior Cup final, losing 2-1 to Bury in the 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 he could not convert.

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.

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, he got Burnley back in it.

The forward latched on to Gilchrist’s clever flick from the left and finished well.

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

Massanka then went for glory from 20 yards but blazed over in the final minute and Burnley bowed out.

Clarets: 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.