BURNLEY got their pre-season campaign off to a winning start today, but only after surviving the scare of an Altrincham fightback.

The Clarets dominated their non-league opponents in the first half and should have had more to show for it than the 3-0 lead they took into the break.

But after ringing all 11 changes at half-time, they were pegged back by two goals in as many minutes at the start of the second half, before Chris Iwelumo increased Burnley's advantage with the final goal of the game.

Alex MacDonald was first on the scoresheet at Moss Lane after combining with the fit-again Martin Paterson in the ninth minute.

Chris Eagles doubled Burnley's lead 10 minutes later at the end of a quick break from the edge of their box, before Paterson made it 3-0 just after the half-hour when he rounded the keeper and slipped the ball into an empty net.

Manager Eddie Howe always intended to ring the changes at the break, and while results are inconsequential at this stage of the summer preparations, he will be disappointed to ship two poor goals.

The first was the result of a punt over the top of a flat-footed defence, and in beating Leon Cort for pace Nick Chadwick got past and advancing Brian Jensen and pulled a goal back in the 47th minute.

He added a second in the 49th, again courtesy of a defensive lapse as Danny Fox was too slow to close down the right winger and prevent the cross.

Chris Iwelumo improved Burnley's cushion midway through the second half with a close range attempt from Wade Elliott's delivery.

Kevin Long went close with a header inside the six-yard box but the keeper reacted well to push it out.

BURNLEY

First half: Lee Grant, Tyrone Mears, Alex-Ray Harvey, Andre Bikey, Chris Eagles, Michael Duff, Chris McCann, Brian Easton, Ross Wallace, Martin Paterson, Alex MacDonald.

Second half: Brian Jensen; Kevin Long, Leon Cort, David Edgar, Danny Fox; Wade Elliott, Marvin Bartley, Dean Marney; Jay Rodriguez, Chris Iwelumo, Wes Fletcher.

ALTRINCHAM

Stuart Coburn, Chris Lynch, Mark Lees, Adam Flynn, Ryan Brown. Simon Richman, Robbie Lawton, Shaun Densmore, Nicky Clee, Nick Chadwick, Damian Reeves. Subs: Paul Jones, James Coates, Anthony Danylyk, Brian Summerskill, Kevin Gall, Michael Jukes, Steve Hall, Matt Fearon, Jake Barnabas, Sam Langford.