MICHAEL Duff put himself into contention to face Preston North End on Saturday after coming through tonight's reserves derby unscathed.

The Burnley defender had been sidelined with a calf injury since limping out of the opening day win over Nottingham Forest a month ago.

But after stepping up his recovery by returning to training last week, getting a full 90 minutes under his belt ahead of the televised derby will be a welcome boost to manager Brian Laws, who will be without suspended right back Tyrone Mears this weekend.

However, the Clarets will be disappointed not to have a clean sheet to go with it as goalkeeper Lee Grant was too well-beaten by Luke Joyce in the second half.

Burnley had bossed the first half but only had a Jay Rodriguez goal – a free header from Michael King's right wing corner – to show for it.

They were made to pay for a lack of ruthlessness six minutes into the second half when Joyce took a short pass from Michael Hall and unleashed a 25-yard drive that Grant will have been disappointed not to have kept hold of.

Rodriguez got Burnley back on the front foot soon after thanks to a good midfield move involving Kevin McDonald, Alex Ray-Harvey and Michael King.

The young striker was denied the chance of a hat-trick when he was withdrawn just after the hour, while Alex MacDonald, who had an excellent game, limped off after having his ankle clipped moments later.

King fired in the third from the edge of the box on 71 minutes, but it was Brian Easton who had done all the hard work after a driving run down the left.

Eye-catching winger King could have wrapped it up with 15 minutes to go but after having his initial shot blocked, volleyed the rebound over, while Stanley keeper Alex Cisak made a superb save to deny Ricard Eckersley from point blank range in the 84th minutes.

Second-year scholar Josef Jackson had earlier replaced striker Wes Fletcher to make his reserve team debut.

BURNLEY RES: Lee Grant; Richard Eckersley, Michael Duff, Kevin Long, Brian Easton; Alex MacDonald (Chris Anderson 67), Kevin McDonald, Alex-Ray Harvey, Michael King; Jay Rodriguez (Dominic Knowles 61), Wes Fletcher (Josef Jackson 76).

Subs not used: Chris Anderson, Ben Woodhead, Joe McKee, Ed Williams.

ACCRINGTON RES: Alex Cisak; Leam Richardson, Tom Smyth, Andrew Owens, Michael Hall; Chris Turner, Peter Murphy, Luke Joyce, Alan Burton; Rory Boulding, Bradley Hudson-Odoi.

Subs not used: Josh O'Connell, Jordan Rimmer, Jamie Larner, Matthew Lawler, Connor Hobson.