The Seasiders reserve team slipped to a 2-1 defeat on Wednesday evening to Lancashire rivals Burnley.

Pool included several players with senior experience as did the visitors who also boasted manager Owen Coyle and first team Coach Steve Davis in their ranks. The Clarets got things underway on a cold, blustery, wet Fleetwood night but despite the conditions it was Steve Thompson's men who had the games first clear cut chance, Keigan Parker raced clear of the Burnley defence only to be denied by a fine block by the keeper Gabor Kiraly. The Hungarian international then produced another fine save to deny former Palace team mate Stuart Green.

Despite the early pressure it was the visitors who took the lead when ALEX RAY HARVEY raced on to a great through ball from John Spicer andthe young striker calmly slotted past the advancing Steinbors.

The Latvian keeper had to be alert on the quarter hour when he raced off his line to clear after Burnley's slick passing had cut open the Seasiders once again.

The Clarets boss making his first competitive appearance for the club forced Steinbors into another fine save following a great cross from the Burnley right.

For the Seasiders skipper Marcus Bean flashed a shot just wide on 17 minutes whilst Keigan Parker failed to hit the target four minutes later when he sprinted clear of the Burnley defence.

Pool finally managed to pull themselves back on level terms midway through the first half when STUART GREEN burst forward from midfield and fired beyond Kiraly. A minute later Green almost created Pool's second the former Crystal Palace man chipped a great ball over the top of the Burnley defence, Simon Wiles found himself one on one with the keeper but Kiraly once again denied the Tangerines.

Pavels Steinbors had to be alert in the opening stages of the second half to take a long range free kick whilst at the other end Phil Doughty saw a free header from an Andy Welsh corner fly over. The Seasiders were made to rue that missed opportunity when substitute WES FLETCHER made it 2-1 with an exquisite finish.

John Hills came close to an equaliser when a dipping long range effort whistled just wide with Kiraly scrambling, but it was the visitors who looked as though they would add to the scoring, although they were denied by a couple of great blocks from Pavels Steinbors.

Full Time Blackpool 1 Burnley 2

POOL: Pavels Steinbors, Ross Lloyd, Phil Doughty, Ashley Eastham, Paul Tierney, Andy Welsh, Marcus Bean (Danny Penswick 58), Stuart Green, John Hills (Dale Warburton 85), Keigan Parker, Simon Wiles (Jake Hobbs 81) Subs: Stefan Laird, Mark Hasltead

BURNLEY: Gabor Kiraly, Ben Hoskin, Michael Duff, Steve Davis (Chris Lynch 69), Stephen Jordan, Mark Randall, Alex McDonald, Alex-Ray Harvey, John Spicer, Alan Mahon, Owen Coyle (Wes Fletcher 76).
Subs not used: Stef Ritchie, Tom Bradley, Chris Anderson