Reserve-team coach Lee Duxbury pulled no punches admitting last night's 6-0 defeat to Burnley was an "embarrassment."

Duxbury described it as a case of men against boys as Burnley would have won by a wider margin but for the efforts of keeper Josh Ollerenshaw.

He added the only plus points was the valuable match time the players returning from injury received.

Sean Gregan and Chris Taylor played the full 90 minutes while Deane Smalley and Joe Jacobson, each making their first appearances of the season, each had a 75-minute run out.

Duxbury said: "You can make excuses such as Burnley had six players in their side who had appeared in the Premier League last season, but the truth is that some of our players were not up to it against quality players.

"It was like men against boys and, as coaches, it showed us a lot about the character of the players, both the young lads and experienced professionals.

"As a coach and in terms of personal pride, it was embarrassing losing 6-0. Though they were a good team, we should still have done better and it hurts to have lost so heavily."

Duxbury added that he expected better from his players because reserve-team matches are a place to showcase their abilities.

He continued: "It is hard motivating players who have been told they can leave the club, but that shouldn't be the case. They ought to be out to impress because you never know who is watching in the stands.

"There is no way clubs will take players after watching  a performance like that."