BURNLEY reserves fell to another defeat following a seven-goal thriller in Yorkshire.

The Clarets second string, including several first teamers given a run-out with Saturday's trip to Derby in mind, were always chasing the game and at one stage trailed 4-1 to an experienced United side.

Late strikes from Matt O'Neill, playing as a lone striker - and trialist Dave Carney - gave Ronnie Jepson's side a fighting chance. But it proved too late.

Watching boss Stan Ternent will have taken plenty of positives from the display, however, with both David May and Glen Little getting a useful 45 minutes under their belt, while Mark McGregor stepped up his comeback from knee surgery by coming through the 90 minutes unscathed along with Lee Roche.

Danny Wood and Ian Ross gave United the lead with O'Neill hitting back before the break.

Former Tranmere players Andy Parkinson and Wayne Allison then netted, but Burnley refused to lie down and Carney teed-up O'Neill for his second of the game with a superb diving header before the trialist wrapped up the scoring from close range.

Burnley began brightly at Chesterfield's Saltergate ground before the Blades took the lead on 23 minutes. Danny Wood cut infield and nutmegged McGregor before finding the bottom corner.

Ten minutes later, United doubled the lead when Ian Ross beat Michael Hale from 25 yards.

On the stroke of half time, the Clarets get back in it as Little weaved his way upfield and found O'Neill, who found the net with a sweet left foot drive.

O'Neill and Marc Pugh both came close to an equaliser after the restart, but United restored their two goal advantage in the 52nd minute through former Tranmere winger Andy Parkinson.

Just after, it was 4-1 as another ex-Tranmere player, Wayne Allison netted.

Burnley: Hale, Roche, Pitham, McGregor, May (Townsend, 45), Pilkington, Pugh, Carney, O'Neill, Little (Taylor, 45), Ince (Avery, 72). Subs not used: Carpenter, Preston.

SHEFF UTD RESERVES 4

BURNLEY RESERVES 3