Burton Albion v Rotherham
TEAM NEWS:
TOP scorer Billy Kee returned to Burton Albion’s squad for the visit of Rotherham United, but the 12-goal striker had to settle for a place on the bench as manager Paul Peschisolido named an unchanged side following Tuesday night’s 3-2 defeat at Crewe Alexandra.
Jack Dyer started back-to-back games for the first time this season in the holding role in front of the back four having overcome a knock picked up in midweek.
Skipper John McGrath and Jacques Maghoma had also overcame injuries to retain their places in the line-up.
Fromer Brewers striker Shaun Harrad, who has scored twice in as many starts since signing for the visitors on loan from Bury, was in the Millers’ starting line-up.
BREWERS (4-1-2-3): Atkins; Driver, Stanton, Austin, Blanchett; Dyer; Bolder, McGrath (capt); Maghoma, Zola, Gurrieri; subs: James, Richards, Palmer, C Taylor, Kee.
MILLERS (4-4-2): R Taylor; Bradley, Naylor, Mullins, Griffiths; Cadogan, Harrison (capt), J Taylor, Wood; Revell, Harrad; subs: Tonge, Cresswell, Pringle, Warrington, Grabban.
HALF-TIME: There were few chances in a cagey opening, with Maghoma having the first real opportunity on six minutes, cutting in from the left but seeing his effort blocked by centre-back Johnny Mullins.
After a lull in the action, it was Maghoma who had the next chance, outpacing two Millers defender as the hosts broke following a free-kick into their penalty area.
The midfielder tried to lob the keeper, but his effort was always sailing over the crossbar.
The hosts had a great chance on 27 minutes when the ball broke for Adam Bolder in the penalty area.
The midfielder got it on his left foot and looked certain to score, but his effort was blocked by a defender.
The hosts were starting to get on top and on the half-hour, Calvin Zola chested down a long ball and found Bolder, who slipped a pass through to Andres Gurrieri.
The Argentinian went for a first-time shot, but Millers keeper Rhys Taylor saved at the second attempt low down.
The Brewers broke the deadlock five minutes before half-time.
McGrath whipped a free-kick in from the right to the near post.
Dyer failed to get a touch, but Zola made no mistake, turning the ball home for his 12th goal of the season.
BURTON ALBION 1, ROTHERHAM UNITED 0
FULL TIME: The hosts had a glorious chance to extend their lead nine minutes into the second half.
Zola headed a Rotherham corner clear to Maghoma on the left.
He advanced and played a ball towards Zola, who had made a great run.
Zola could not control, but the ball found Bolder, who tried to chip the keeper from the edge of the penalty area but, like Maghoma in the first half, his effort was too high.
The miss proved costly as the Millers equalised less than 60 seconds later.
Sam Wood’s inswinging corner from the right was missed by the Brewers at the near post and there was Harrad to tap home from virtually on the goal-line.
That prompted Peschisolido to send on Kee for Gurrieri.
A second change came on 67 minutes, with Cleveland Taylor on for Dyer as the Brewers went 4-4-2.
Seconds later, Maghoma picked up a hamstring injury, forcing him to send on Chris Palmer.
With 15 minutes to go, Taylor fired into the side netting.
The Brewers could have retaken the lead on 81 minutes when McGrath did well to win the ball midway inside the Rotherham half.
He found Bolder, who slid in Zola, who tried to lift the ball over goalkeeper Taylor but he could not quite get enough contact on the ball.
Zola had an even better chance two minutes later when he beat the offside trap to latch onto another Bolder pass.
He was all alone and took the ball round Taylor but shot wide of the near post when he had Kee in space in the centre.
In stoppage time, Bolder thumped in a shot which Taylor had to turn behind for a corner.
BURTON ALBION 1, ROTHERHAM UNITED 1
