Joel Mumbongo made up for lost time as he fired the U23s back into the thick of the play-off race.
And he admitted it was good to be back as his double strike led the Clarets to a 3-0 win at Crewe Alexandra.
It was Burnley’s first game at this level in more than a month and Mumbongo’s first appearance since mid-January due to an injury-enforced spell on the sidelines.
“I’m just happy to be back playing. And, of course, you’re always happy to get two goals as a striker,” said Mumbongo, who struck with clinical close-range finishes in the dying moments of each half at Gresty Road.