BURNLEY FC Women's long unbeaten run came to an end with a 2-0 defeat at Sunderland.

The goals came either side of the interval in the FA Women’s National League Cup preliminary round tie as Matt Bee's Clarets lost for the first time since February.

Chances were few and far between for the visitors with the boss left with plenty to ponder for the weeks ahead.

The hosts were the first to have a sniff of an opportunity but goalkeeper Lauren Bracewell came out well to smother the ball and end the attack.

At the other end, Levi Rathburn ran at the Sunderland goal when she received a through ball, but she was denied by retreating home defenders as she reached the 18-yard box.

Bracewell was in fine form intercepting crosses into the Clarets box and tipping the ball over from a well-placed header.

Sarah Greenhalgh ensured Burnley continued to pose a threat on the Sunderland goal in response, but the momentum was largely from the home team as they put the Clarets under pressure.

Cara Beckett in the centre of the defence made her presence felt as she blocked and intercepted many moves but in the last seconds of the half the Clarets defence was split and Sunderland’s winger Jess Brown was able to shoot and score from inside the box.

Then with only two minutes of the second half played the hosts got their second goal when striker Maria Ferrugia dribbled through the Clarets defence and shot past Bracewell.

Further Sunderland efforts were limited or forced wide by the visitors' hard-working defence and some opportunities sprang up at the other end.

Kelly Halligan had the ball in the net when she cleverly chipped over the home keeper but was ruled offside and she later cut through one-on-one, though she shot within reach of the keeper.

The Clarets' best chance came late on when Halligan threaded through to Rathburn who shot from an angle and the ball skimmed along the cross bar but it was Sunderland who progressed to the next round.

This Sunday, Burnley are back in league action when they entertain Hull City Ladies at Padiham FC’s Ruby Civil Arena. Kick-off is 2pm and entrance on the gate is £3 for adults and £1 for under 16s.