Clarets Under-16 keeper Michael Hale made his debut for the youth side against Blackpool at the weekend as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Gawthorpe in the Youth Alliance League.

The youngster was forced to play because of a groin injury suffered by James Salisbury in training during the week.

Manager Terry Pashley was once again forced to play 3-5-2 because of injuries to his full backs and he was left to rue the defensive lapses that cost them victory.

"The lads seem to be taking it in turns to make costly mistakes," he explained. "We are in a position where we are having to score two, three or four goals just to win games and that is always going to be difficult.

"We have no reserve game in midweek so we are going to be doing a lot of defensive work in training in the hope that we can cut out the sloppy errors.

"Michael came in for James who was injured and he got caught in no man's land for the first goal. Their second came from a cross into the box and their lad just got on to the loose ball in the box.

"But to be fair I was pleased with them in an attacking sense and we created enough chances in the first half to have won the game quite comfortably. We just have to make sure that we stop shooting ourselves in the foot."

Mark Rasmussen had given the home side the lead from the penalty spot but by midway through the second half they were trailing.

Midfielder Steven Richardson popped up with a late equaliser to ensure the Clarets avoided defeat.

"Steven was playing in the wing-back role again and he did well to score after good work by Matty O'Neill and Damien Hindle down the left," said Pashley.

"The lads are better at going forward in that formation because it gives them that extra bit of freedom but they do have to work very hard. When I have got some of the injured players back we will be able to go back to playing 4-4-2."

The good news for the youth team is that the influential midfielder Joel Pilkington and left back Paul Scott returned as subs on Saturday and will be pushing for a start in the next game.

That is when the young Clarets side will be at Rochdale at the weekend with Pashley hoping they remember to keep the door locked at the back.