Matty Pearson's extra-time strike sent Burnley tumbling out of the second round of the EFL Cup this evening, as Sean Dyche's men fell to a 1-0 extra-time defeat against Accrington Stanley at the Wham Stadium.
Both sides tentatively felt their way into proceedings, and it was the hosts who almost broke the deadlock when Janoi Donacien crossed to the back post for centre-back Mark Hughes, who could only send his half-volley wide of the target.
Stanley were lucky to keep 11 players on the pitch not long after that chance, though, when frontman Shay McCartan saw just a yellow following a late lunge on Clarets midfielder Aiden O'Neill.
Sam Vokes was evidently the most talented player on the pitch and he might have given Burnley an opener, but the striker could only drag his effort across goal and wide of Elliot Parish's post.
Dyche's charges controlled possession in the latter stages of the first 45 minutes and they were presented with perhaps the best chance of the half through Michael Kightly, who flashed a ball into the box, only for Lukas Jutkiewicz's slide to come up short.
Vokes sought to force the issue early in the second period and he almost caught Parish out with a dipping shot from distance, which saw the Accrington stopper tip the ball over the crossbar.
The visiting frontman was instrumental once more as he aimed to push his side ahead, this time as he beat his marker to cross for Jutkiewicz, who headed tamely wide with the goal gaping.
With neither team able to force an opener, the game was sent into extra time and it was Accrington who almost made things count as Arron Davies saw his shot deflected agonisingly over the crossbar.
The sides continued to push for the all-important goal and it was the hosts who threatened again when Rommy Boco forced a standout save from Nick Pope down low in the second half of the extra period.
It seemed as though the contest was headed towards penalties, but that was until Pearson found himself free inside the area after an industrious corner, leaving the full-back with time to fire beyond Pope and send Accrington into the third round for the first time in the club's history.
Christopher Dodd
