BURNLEY Reserves started the new season how they ended the last, with a home defeat to reigning Central League champions Preston North End.

Clarets winger Keith Treacy was in the stand cheering his new club on against his old employers, and would have been pleased when Ross Wilson put Burnley ahead with a well-taken 13th minute goal.

Trialist Anthony Ihou, 20-year-old attacking midfielder from Nantes, picked out Dominic Knowles, who squared for Wilson to round off the move, giving Andreas Arestidou no chance.

Preston equalised on the half-hour when one-time Burnley target Darel Russell crossed for Michael McLellan to head past Jon Stewart.

McLellan hit the upright five minutes later from a Danny Mayor cutback, then sent a downwards header wide seconds later.

Stewart ensured Burnley, who played trialists Anthony Glover and Ellis Deeney in the fullback positions, went into the break level by keeping out Russell's 20-yard effort on the stroke of half-time.

But Preston took the lead three minutes into the second half when Juvhel Tsoumou controlled Russell's ball forward and drilled beyond Stewart.

Burnley had their summer signing to thank for keeping the score down after that, first saving Tsoumou's penalty after Deeney brought down Seanan Clucas in the box, then parrying a Adam Barton effort and saving Craig Morgan's bullet header from a Mayor corner.

Stewart went on to deny McLellan a second in a one-on-one.

Midfielder Steve Hewitt pushed for a late equaliser, but his shot from distance was comfortable for Arestidou.

BURNLEY RES: Jon Stewart; Alex Coleman, Anthony Glover, Tom Anderson, Ellis Deeney; Anthony Ihou (Mehdi Lazaar 67), Steve Hewitt, David Lynch (Archie Love 76), Ross Wilson (Seamus McCartan 80); Dominic Knowles, Alex MacDonald.

Subs not used: Josh Cook, Aryn Williams.

PRESTON NE RES: Andreas Arsetidou; Seanan Clucas, Craig Morgan, Bailey Wright, Conor McLaughlin (Reece James 60); Darel Russell, Ian Ashbee (George Miller 46), Danny Mayor, Adam Barton; Juvhel Tsoumou, Michael McLellan.

Subs not used: Dominic Comrie, Jamie Douglas, Luke Clark.

ATT: 308.