Two goals in two minutes from Evie Priestley and Lizzy Harmer sent the Clarettes into a two-goal lead before the first half whistle and, despite Stephanie Ord halving the deficit for the Lady Magpies, Newcastle were unable to snatch a point against the league champions.

Jill Stacey's squad headed to Padiham's Ruby Civil Arena hoping to end a run of three winless matches against a Burnley side who were unbeaten in their previous six league contests.

Newcastle, playing slightly uphill for the first half, faced a number of Burnley attacks in the opening 40 minutes but the defence held firm to prevent the Lancashire club from breaking the deadlock in the early stages.

The away side were also unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty as a dangerous cross from Rebecca Olley looked to have struck a Burnley hand inside the box, with the referee waving away the decision to the frustration of the Newcastle players.

With half-time approaching, Newcastle were dealt a heavy blow as Burnley opened the scoring as Priestley calmly rounded goalkeeper Grace Donnelly and placed the ball into the net after the ball had kindly ricocheted into her path.

Newcastle fell further behind before the half-time whistle as Harmer doubled the home side's advantage on the stroke of half-time, producing a clever backheel after the United defence were unable to clear a swinging corner.

The Lady Magpies began their search for a way back into the match and began brightly in the second half, although they were forced to replace Courtney Lock, who was replaced by Ord after sustaining a bad injury.

And it was the United substitute who got her name onto the scoresheet minutes after a brief introduction to the action, with Ord managing to slot the ball home from close range ​towards the hour mark.

Moments after finding their way back into the game, Ellen Turnbull missed a glorious opportunity for the away side to draw level, as the striker sent her effort narrowly wide of the target.

The defeat keeps United in ninth spot and the Lady Magpies will now hope to end the season positively in their final league fixture of the season against Barnsley Ladies at Druid Park.

Newcastle United Women: Grace Donnelly, Brooke Cochrane (c), Courtney Lock (Stephanie Ord 51), Ellen Packham (Anna Soulsby 72), Jess Hennessey, Victoria Curtis, Bethany Guy, Rhiannon Gray (Abbie Gilchrist 80), Rebecca Olley, Imogen Longcake, Ellen Turnbull.