Burnley Reserves 1 Birmingham City Reserves 0

BURNLEY continued their climb up the Pontins League Premier Division thanks to a spectacular own-goal from Birmingham substitute Alan Hilder at Turf Moor last night.

The youngster had only been on the pitch for a couple of minutes after replacing former Chelsea midfielder Eddie Newton when he connected with a dangerous cross from Chris Brass to send a flying header past Kevin Poole.

A repeat of the stalemate between the two sides at St Andrew's earlier in the season looked to be on the cards until Hilder's unfortunate intervention 18 minutes from time.

Burnley then took control and could have added to their tally as they extended their unbeaten run to eight games.

However, Paul Smith fired wide with just Poole to beat, substitute Michael Devenney rattled the bar with a curling effort and a Mark Robertson volley also kissed the top of the bar when he should have scored six minutes from the end.

And Birmingham, who had barely threatened despite their fair share of possession, went close to making the Clarets pay when susbtitute Tresor Luntala headed against a post in injury-time. In awful conditions, neither side found any fluency and clear-cut chances were at a premium for the first 80 minutes.

Brad Maylett, returning to action after a lengthy lay-off with a knee injury, had Bunley's best early opportunity but after being sent clear by Ronnie Jepson's astute pass, the young striker's lob was just too close to Poole.

Craig Mawson was barely extended in the Clarets goal, fielding long-range efforts from Tony Capaldi and Jerry Gilll without difficulty either side of half-time.

Burnley: Mawson, Scott, Cowan, Brass, Heywood, Johnrose, Weller, Robertson, Jepson, Maylett (Devenney 67), Smith. Subs not used: Williamson, Kevan, Kelly, Paxton (gk)

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