BURNLEY Under 23s Premier League Cup campaign came to an end on Monday afternoon at a cold Tameside Stadium after a 1-0 defeat to current holders Swansea City thanks to a first half goal from Kenji Gorre, writes Joshua Bunting.

It was Swansea who created the first chance of the game as Mael Davies picked out Botti Biabi but he was denied by a last ditch challenge from Clarets captain Arlen Birch.

It was all pressure from the Welsh side in the opening stages and they were denied the lead on 14 minutes thanks to a great save from Northern Ireland Under-21 international Conor Mitchell as he sprung to his left to push away Liam Cullens deflected strike after a Biabi cross.

A minute later Mitchell was called into action once again as he tipped a powerful Jordan Garrick effort onto the post before the ball bounced away to safety allowing the Clarets to clear.

Michael Duff’s side created their first opening on 23 minutes as under-23 debutant Jordan Cropper’s long throw picked out the head of Christian N’Guessan but he flicked his effort wide of the target.

Steven Bena in the Swans goal was called into action for the first time on the half hour mark as the Clarets started to find their feet when Bradley Jackson tried his luck from range, however his strike was directed straight into the hands of the stopper.

Swansea took the lead five minutes later through Gorre as he was played through on goal by a fine Marco Dolca pass before he hit his effort across goal and into the net for his 11th goal of the campaign.

Duff will have been disappointed with the manner of the goal, but his side responded well and could have levelled proceedings on 40 minutes after Rahis Nabi crossed for Ntumba Massuka but his flick on was well held by Bena.

On the stroke of the break it was Swansea who had a good opening to double their advantage as Cullen picked up the ball on the left but his through ball into Gorre was well intercepted by Scott Wilson.

It was Burnley who started the second half on top and they could have equalised on 48 minutes when the impressive Cropper crossed for Massanka but his header was flicked away by Aaron Lewis just when it looked like the home side were back on terms.

It could have been two for the visitors on 55 minutes as the game started to open up as Gorre pulled the ball back for Dolca but he fired his effort over the crossbar from just outside the box.

Burnley were throwing everything at the visitors trying to get the equaliser that would have sent them into the last 16 as Nabi whipped in a cross for Massanka but he was denied once again by Bena as he raced off his line to claim the loose ball.

As Burnley pushed forward this allowed Swansea to create space and get in behind the defence as Mitchell came to the rescue as Cullen was sent through one on one by Gorre but his effort was well kept out by the legs of the keeper.

The home side then should have been on level terms on 71 minutes as Jordan Barnett met Anthony Glennon’s cross at the back post, but he fired his strike over the crossbar when he really should have scored.

This chance gave Burnley more confidence and they were inches away from an equaliser on 79 minutes as Massanka turned on the edge of the area following a Tommy Wood pass before his effort cracked off the crossbar and bounced away in what turned out to be a disappointing afternoon for the young Clarets.

Swansea could have doubled their advantage in the final minute of the match when Cullen sent Gorre through on goal, but he was well tackled by Birch in what proved to be the final talking point of the game.