BURNLEY Under-23s ran out 4-1 winners over Barnsley to move within a point of the Professional Development League’s northern section summit.

Dwight McNeil scored on his 90-minute outing for the Clarets youngsters who were handed a 28th minute lead when Tinashe Chakwana applied the finished touch to a Josh Benson through ball for his 10th of the season.

Jordan Cropper doubled Burnley’s lead, as he followed up to score from the first of three missed penalties.

Barnsley then missed a penalty of their own as Louis Wardle’s effort was tipped onto the post by Adam Legzdins.

Chakwana almost made it 3-0 two minutes into the second half but a fine save from Emmanuel Idem prevented the striker from doubling his tally for the afternoon.

Burnley did make it three on the hour mark when Benson’s whipped corner was powerfully headed home by McNeil.

The Tykes were then reduced to 10 men, with Will Smith shown a second yellow card for a foul on Dan Agyei.

And Benson made it four with the resulting free kick as his strike found the top corner.

Barnsley reduced arrears with a consolation goal when Aidy White scored from a rebound, after Legzdins had made a good save from the second Tykes’ spot kick.

The impressive victory leaves Burnley a point behind leaders Leeds United who were surprisingly beaten 3-1 at Crewe Alexandra.

Meanwhile, Burnley Under-18s were beaten 4-1 by Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

The Clarets had levelled through Mitch George, but were unable to contain a table-topping Wednesday side.

Wednesday took the lead in the 10th minute when Eyad Hammoud’s strike from inside the area found the top corner.

George latched onto a hooked free kick to head into the bottom corner to pull the scores level.

But Burnley were then reduced to 10-men as Joe Connelly was shown a second yellow card early in the second half.

Despite the Clarets’ best efforts at keeping the league leaders at bay, Hammoud scored twice before Issac Rice added a late fourth.