Sub Ryley Scott netted late on but Town’s U23s were beaten 3-1 by Burnley at Curzon Ashton’s Tameside Stadium, their fifth defeat in their first five Professional Development League Two South games this season.
Ali Koiki netted a hat-trick for the Clarets, the first two from the penalty spot on 26 and 54 after fouls by Toto Nsiala, who was playing his second U23s game after his hamstring injury, and keeper Adam Przybek.
Koiki completed his treble on the hour from a rebound, before midfielder Scott pulled one back in the 89th minute.
Also in the Town side was Ben Folami, who was involved in his second match having been out of action since January with an achilles injury.
The result means the young Blues remain bottom of the league table they finished top of last season.
Meanwhile, what’s likely to largely be an U18s team will be in action on Tuesday evening when they face Needham Market in the first round of the Suffolk Premier Cup at Bloomfields (KO 7.45pm). The winners of the tie will take on Haverhill Rovers away in round two.
U23s: Przybek, Cotter, Nsiala, Ndaba, Clements, McGavin, Simpson, Dobra (Foudil 60), El Mizouni, Folami, Roberts (Scott 68). Unused: Crowe, Egan, K Brown.