TWO goals from Alex MacDonald helped Burnley Reserves to a comfortable win over Rochdale.

The Clarets struck three times inside four first-half minutes, while a cool solo effort by MacDonald completed his brace 15 minutes before the end.

Rochdale pulled a goal back through Tom Buckley two minutes later, but it was little more than a consolation.

Goalkeeper Diego Penny and sparky midfielder MacDonald were the only senior players involved for the Clarets, while Rochdale also fielded a team largely filled with apprentices and under 16s.

MacDonald broke the deadlock from the spot on 17 minutes after right back Dan Brown had his burst into the box curtailed by Alex Mallion.

A penalty was awarded by the referee, and MacDonald sent Spencer the wrong way from the spot.

With Penny relatively untroubled, Wes Fletcher – the striker offered a professional contract this week – doubled Burnley’s lead in the 21st minute after breaking away from the defence.

James Craggs then scored 30 seconds after the restart, latching on to Michael King’s clever ball and finishing off the left post.

MacDonald scored his second in style after picking the ball up midway inside the Rochdale half and getting past two defenders before rounding Spencer.

Buckley scored late on for Rochdale.

BURNLEY: Penny, Brown, McEneaney, Anderson, Kudiersky, Lynch, MacDonald, Harvey, Fletcher (Knowles 75), Craggs, King. Subs not used: Ritchie, Chaggar, Newman, Devenney.