MICHAEL Duff felt his Burnley Under-23s side learnt an important lesson ahead of stepping up a level this season as they ground out a 2-0 win at Colne.

Taking charge of his first game of the development squad, Duff saw his side score two goals in the final 10 minutes to beat their Evo-Stik First Division North opposition.

The Clarets' Under-23s had to be patient at Holt House as Steve Cunningham's side gave them a tough workout, and Duff believes it was a valuable exercise for his side.

Last season's youth team boss will lead the Under-23s into the Professional Development League this season after the Academy was granted Category 2 status in the summer, and Duff admits they have plenty to live up to now after Burnley secured Premier League status last season.

"You’re never going to come to these sorts of places and the opposition is just going to turn up and roll over," Duff said of the win over Colne.

"I think one thing we learned is we have to compete better.

"Most of their lads have been in and around where our lads are now, but they have got four or five years’ experience of playing at this level.

"We’re not really particularly bothered about the results at this stage.

"It’s just getting the players to recognise where they’re at.

"They are at a Premier League club, so there is a lot expected of them now. People are coming to watch."

In a keenly fought contest the Clarets finally broke the deadlock when Tundi Bayodi finished from 12 yards after good work by Robbie Leitch.

Second half substitute Leitch made sure of the win a couple of minutes from time when he finished from close range after Ali Koiki's volley had flown across goal.

Duff fielded a mixture of second-year youth team scholars and some more experienced faces against the Reds, with defender Alex Whitmore featuring after a loan spell at Morecambe last season, while Conor Mitchell started in goal having spent last week in Ireland training with the first team. Harry Flowers started at the back after signing from Brocton last season.

Duff saw some positives from his side's performance, but also admits there are things to work on as the development squad continue their pre-season.

“It is the first pre-season game and you’re not expecting people to be fully up-and-running,” he said.

“Some of them played for 65-70 minutes, which for a first pre-season game is a lot to ask, and when you’re tired you get a bit sloppy.

“It’s about getting miles into the legs and a few fundamentals we are looking to drop in and some things we’ve got to improve on.

“I think maybe the fitness and a little bit of quality showed out at the end. There were some positives. There’s plenty to work with.”

Members of Duff's development squad will feature in Burnley's split friendlies on Saturday, with the Clarets facing Alfreton Town and Kidderminster Harriers at 3pm.

The Under-23s face their next pre-season test at Witton Albion on Tuesday (7.30pm).