A first-half headed goal from Max Kinsey proved not enough as AFC Bournemouth’s development squad fell to a 3-1 defeat at Burnley.

The Clarets netted twice in the opening 20 minutes at Turf Moor, through Renaldo Torraj and Tom Tweedy.

Kinsey capped off a well-worked corner routine from the Cherries to get them back into the Professional Development League contest.

But while committing bodies forward in an attempt to gain a late leveller, Vernon Masara tapped into an empty net to add a third for the hosts.

The Cherries got off to a disappointing start in Lancashire, conceding after just two minutes.

A cross to the back post from Tweedy picked out Torraj to turn home from close range.

The Cherries first sight at goal came on 15 minutes. After picking up Lewis Brown’s pass, Balraj Landa surged at goal and curled a shot just wide of the far post.

But it was 2-0 to the Clarets five minutes later. Torraj on this occasion turning provider for Tweedy to head in at the back post from the opposite side.

Connell’s charges kept working hard, however. As they looked to push forward in search of a route back into the contest.

Striker Daniel Adu-Adjei’s 25-yard strike flew over the bar, before Dom Sadi’s shot looped off a defender and out for a corner.

It was from a slick set-piece move that the Cherries pulled a goal back with 40 minutes gone.

Sadi’s short corner found Toure Williams, who set the ball back for midfield partner Brown.

His menacing cross found skipper Kinsey, who rose highest to power a header in from close range.

The visitors continued to push forward after the break. Adu-Adeji headed over from Brown’s inswinging corner.

The striker then wriggled free in the area before working home keeper Charlie Casper with a low drive.

Connell’s side then must have thought they had got a leveller. Finn Tonks’s cross picked out Sadi, who steered the ball inches over the crossbar from inside the area.

With the Cherries throwing men forward late on, including keeper Callan McKenna for a last-minute corner, the Clarets broke up the other end with Masara tapping into an empty net.

AFC Bournemouth: McKenna, Tonks, Osborne (Johnson, 61), Brown, Kinsey, Harris, Williams (Gregory, 84), Sadi, Adu-Adjei, Landa, Tydeman (Clarke, 74).

Unused subs: Eagle, Allan (g/k).