Morris kick-starts his Leeds career

Two goals from Ian Moore underpinned a deserved victory for Ternent's side against a team who could have been surveying worse damage than another dent to their wounded egos.

Leeds equalised twice on their first visit to Turf Moor in 20 years, but Reid admitted: 'You normally protect your players, but you look to see the desire and the passion, and I didn't see it. The players have to take responsibility.

'If I thought we'd had a go, then I wouldn't complain. This isn't sour grapes because we've lost. Burnley deserved to win, but our attitude and desire weren't good enough. I'll omit Alan Smith from that criticism. He scored a good goal.'

Reid added: 'There's a lot of work to do. There were a lot of internationals out there today, but I didn't see what I wanted to see. The players have to ask themselves questions. If they want to play for Leeds United, do it my way, otherwise it will be a case of "see you later".'

Reid put the pre-interval free-forall down to growing frustration after Leeds, unimpressive in a midweek draw at York, struggled to contain last season's fellow FA Cup quarter-finalists.

Promising teenager Richard Chaplow had squeezed Burnley ahead after nine minutes when Moore's run took him deep into the poorly-guarded penalty area.

Mark Viduka, who was taken off at half-time, prodded Leeds level from Smith's miscued header after 15 minutes, but little more can be said for a player whose body language suggested he would rather be elsewhere after being the talisman for Reid's great escape last season.

Moore quickly headed Burnley back in front, then Smith brought Leeds level for a second time in the 34th minute. But Reid's side did not go on and take control of the game as they might have expected.

It was Burnley who seized the advantage after the break, going ahead for the third time on 56 minutes when Robbie Blake converted from the spot after he was fouled by David Batty just inside the box.

A second penalty, scored by Moore, made the game safe for the home side, although Gareth Taylor finished up in hospital with an eye injury after a clumsy 70th-minute challenge by Michael Duberry.

Burnley's performance was a lift for Ternent, who is still smarting that Manchester United midfielder Michael Stewart is on his way to Nottingham Forest. A fans' website had alerted their Division One rivals by revealing that Ternent was trying to sign the 22-year-old.

Reid told Ternent: 'You've got your team bombing, but you didn't have a lot to beat.'

Burnley's victory could have been even more decisive but for a couple of fine saves by Paul Robinson and a couple of alarming misses from Taylor in front of subdued Leeds fans who are now pondering what pitfalls this season might hold.

Reid has suffered a further blow with the news that Julian Gray is set to join Charlton, despite being on trial at Elland Road since refusing a new contract with Crystal Palace last month.

Leeds were unable to agree a fee with Palace and Charlton boss Alan Curbishley stepped in to invite Gray to play in a friendly at Peterborough on Saturday.

Curbishley will follow that up by holding talks with the left-sided midfielder over a permanent move.