RED tape denied German midfielder Thomas Sobotzik the chance to pull on a claret and blue shirt last night but Ronnie Jepson's reserves still ran riot .

They hit five past Oldham who were not helped by the dismissal of defender Mark Hotte early in the second half.

The failure to get international clearance for the 26-year-old triallist meant teenager Andrew Waine was given a starting place and he impressed on a good night for the young side.

He was denied the goal he richly deserved by a fine save from David Miskelly in the closing minutes but a second successive victory had been secured long before that.

It was the third minute when winger Bradley Maylett headed the Clarets ahead, unmarked six yards out he coolly converted Andrew Leeson's cross after good work by Dimitri Papadopoulos.

The Greek Under-21 striker then doubled the lead in the 20th minute with a lethal finish. Again the damage was done with a cross from the right, Mark Rasmussen the supplier, and having got between defenders Papadopoulos chested the ball down and tucked it past Miskelly.

It was a foul on Papadopoulos that earned Hotte his first booking before the break and when he stopped sub Anthony Shandran running through on goal in the 48th minute he had to walk for a second yellow.

Shandran and Matthew O'Neill had come on for Papadopoulos and Tony Ellis at the break and the young strikers got the next two goals.

O'Neill's goal in the 59th minute was a classic, a clever turn on the edge of the box and a fierce left foot shot that flew past the stunned Miskelly.

Two minutes later Maylett's trickery on the left ended with a cross that was cleared off the line but only as far as Shandran who slammed the ball home from close range.

Maylett, who had opened the scoring, completed the rout with a freak goal five minutes from time. Miskelly stood and watched as his harmless cross from the left sailed into the top right hand corner leaving the 20-year-old looking slightly embarrassed as he accepted the congratulations of his team mates.

Oldham certainly had some chances and kept going to the end despite being a man down but Burnley deserved their success and both Jepson and youth team boss Terry Pashley saw plenty to like from the youngsters.

RESULT: BURNLEY RESERVES...5 OLDHAM ATHLETIC...0

BURNLEY: Cennamo, Leeson, Davis, McGregor (Williamson 59), Scott, Rasmussen, Pilkington, Waine, Maylett, Papadopoulos (Shandran (h-t), Ellis (O'Neill h-t). Subs not used: Salisbury, Eves.

OLDHAM ATHLETIC: Miskelly, Shepherd, Hotte, Baudet, Haining, Smith, Innes (Chadderton), Doran, Hardy (Griffin), Sugden, Vernon (Davenport). Sub not used: Whittle.