TEAM NEWS: Brewers boss Paul Peschisolido went for a change in formation for the visit of second-placed Port Vale following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at
Nathan Stanton returned in a three-man central defensive unit alongside Ryan Austin and Darren Moore, with Russell Penn and Scott Malone as wing-backs.
Aaron Webster returned from injury to play just behind strikers Shaun Harrad and James Collins, with Adam Bolder and John McGrath the central midfielders.
BREWERS (3-5-2): Legzdins; Austin, Stanton, Moore; Penn, Bolder, McGrath (capt), Webster, Malone; Harrad, Collins; subs: Poole (gk), Corbett,
HALF-TIME: The visitors were the first to hit the target, but striker Marc Richards’ far-post header from midfielder Gary Roberts’ left-foot cross from the right was directed tamely at Brewers keeper Adam Legzdins.
The Brewers responded on 12 minutes, with Harrad taking a long ball down well inside the area on the right. He advanced but Vale keeper Stuart Tomlinson blocked his effort from a tight angle at the expense of a corner.
The visitors went close twice midway through the half.
A McGrath clearance was blocked, with the ball falling to Justin Richards, who found strike partner Marc Richards, whose fierce drive was tipped over the bar by Legzdins.
Roberts took the corner and the ball dropped for Marc Richards, whose shot was somehow blocked on the line by the Brewers keeper.
The hosts responded and when Malone’s free-kick from halfway on the left was headed out to the edge of the box, Harrad fizzed a volley inches over.
The visitors created another chance on 40 minutes when a Tomlinson free-kick somehow found its way to midfielder Jake Speight in
The midfielder tried to take it round Legzdins, but the Brewers keeper just managed to gather at the second attempt.
FULL TIME: The first real chance of the second half fell to
Webster led the charge and slipped a ball through to James Collins, but Tomlinson raced off his line to smother at the striker’s feet.
Peschisolido made his first change on the hour, with Greg Pearson replacing Collins.
The visitors responded on 63 minutes as midfielder Louis Dodds burst into the penalty area on the left.
He squared for substitute Sean Rigg, whose shot was parried round his near post by Legzdins.
Albion made a second change on 73 minutes, with Andy Corbett on for
The visitors almost snatched a goal two minutes into stoppage time, but midfielder Doug Loft’s 25-yard drive flew just wide.
