BURNLEY Under-23s failed to make up any ground in the Professional Development League after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Hull City.

This was a game in hand for Michael Duff’s side, with the fixture in December abandoned when heavy fog enveloped the Tameside Stadium in the first half.

That game was called off with the Clarets already ahead, but they couldn’t find a repeat to close the gap to Crewe Alexandra at the bottom of the Professional Development League north group, remaining eight points adrift at the foot of the table.

But the Clarets were the better side in the first half and could easily have gone in ahead at the break.

Two of trialists featuring for Michael Duff’s side were influential in Burnley getting on the front foot, with Josh Benson, currently at Arsenal, finding some good passes forward from central midfield, while Everton winger Stephen Duke McKenna was a handful on the left.

Dwight McNeil went close on the quarter hour, his low left-footed shot skimming just wide, before Ntumba Massanka made room for a shot 15 yards from goal but was denied by Callum Burton in the Tigers goal.

McNeil then turned creator, sending in a dangerous free-kick which Ollie Younger headed over.

Connor Mitchell had been relatively untroubled in the Burnley goal, but he showed safe hands to keep hold of Billy Chadwick’s dipping volley.

Having failed to make their dominance pay in the first half the Clarets were behind early in the second period. James Clarke brilliantly cleared from under his crossbar, but from the resulting corner Tom Powell headed the visitors in front.

Burnley didn’t let their heads drop though and it was Massanka who deservedly levelled, tapping in from Benson’s fine low cross.

McNeil then fired just wide from the edge of the area before Burton saved from the same player from close range and just pounced on the loose ball before it trickled over the line.

But it was Hull who restored their advantage midway through the second half, Powell’s header from 12 yards was straight at Mitchell but the Northern Ireland Under-21 international could only fumble the ball over the line.

Burnley should have been level shortly after. Manchester United trialist Jake Barrett won the initial header from a free-kick before Massanka fired the ball back across goal, but Christian N’Guessan’s attempted backheel finish was cleared off the line.

The Clarets were pushing for the equaliser and Massanka was inches away from connecting with substitute Tinashe Chakwana’s low cross.