Luke Harris capped an incredible first season in Fulham’s under 23s by scoring four goals as Steve Wigley’s side came from behind three times to beat Burnley 5-3 at Motspur Park tonight. The hosts just about edged an end-to-end eight goal thriller and lifted the Premier League 2 Division 2 trophy following the final whistle.

It looked like being a flat end to the campaign for much of the evening as Burnley appeared eager to take the scalp of the champions as they looked to secure a play-off spot. The Clarets began with real enterprise, seeking to press Fulham high up the pitch and attacked with plenty of gusto. They created an early opportunity for Max Thompson, whose mazy dribble was halted by a robust tackle from Terence Kongolo.

But Burnley were undeterred and took the lead after a stray pass from Jay Stansfield allowed Thompson to release John McGlynn behind a stretched Fulham back line and the intelligent forward, who had a fine game, lifted a lovely finish over an advancing Alex Borto. The hosts sought an immediately reply but a sweeping move featuring Adrion Pajaziti and Ollie O’Neill ended with Harris’ effort from the edge of the box not having enough power to beat Lukas Jenson.

Burnley were well drilled in defence and able to soak up prolonged periods of Fulham possession. It took a moment of magic from seventeen year-old midfielder Harris to bring Fulham level. The Welsh youth international, who has become one of the first names on Wigley’s teamsheet precisely because of his ability to make things happen out of nothing, sneaked in the area and found the corner with a fabulous first time finish from Luciano D’Auria-Henry’s right-wing cross.

The home side might have headed into the interval ahead had Sonny Hilton’s fierce drive not been bravely blocked by Dan Sassi. But Burnley were undeterred by losing their lead – and despite only needing a point to be sure of prolonging their league campaign, the Clarets came out on the front foot once again. They edged in front three minutes into the second half when Borto failed to hold Ne Jai Tucker’s drive and Thompson tucked away the rebound.

Fulham gradually stepped up the tempo and equalised from a wonderfully worked corner. Hilton lifted a deep delivery to the back post where Harris had peeled off his marker into space and buried another excellent header to level matters. But parity lasted for only a minute. McGlynn did magnificently to beat Idris Odutayo and then slid a fine finish past the static Borto to put Burnley in front for the third time.

That meant Fulham had to chase the game again – and the white shirts poured forward in search of another equaliser. Jensen produced a marvellous reaction save to keep out a Stansfield strike, but he was beaten by another fine Harris finish. The teenager’s emphatic volley from eight yards flew high into the net to complete another hat-trick after O’Neill and Hilton had kept things alive by keeping their cool in the penalty area.

Harris added a fourth – just like he had at Newcastle earlier in the season – when he finished a fine move down the left flank by guiding home a fine cross from Ziyad Larkeche in the 73rd minute. Burnley came close to clawing their way back into the contest when Benn Ward rattled the woodwork from long range. But Odutayo gave the home side some breathing space by converting a D’Auria-Henry cross having advanced into the Burnley box – and that proved to be the moment that broke the Clarets’ commendable spirit.

FULHAM UNDER 23s (4-2-3-1): Borto; D’Auria-Henry, Larkeche (C. Robinson 76), Odutayo, Kongolo; Pajaziti, Dibley-Dias (Page 88); Hilton, O’Neill, Harris; Stansfield. Subs (not used): Allen, Bowat, Godo.

GOALS: Harris (36, 52, 64, 73), Odutayo (80).

BURNLEY UNDER 23s (4-4-2): Jensen; Armstrong, Dodgson, Sassi, Nartey (Rooney 71), Woods (Ward 77), Gomez (Hugill 61), Helm, Tucker; Thompson, McGlynn. Subs (not used): Thomas, Ratchford.

BOOKED: Jensen.

GOALS: McGlynn (8, 53), Thompson (48).