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Burton Albion travel to Birmingham City today (3pm) knowing that only a win can increase their chances of avoiding relegation to League One.

The Brewers sit eight points adrift of the 21st-placed Blues and safety with 18 points left to play for.

Dejection for Tom Naylor and John Brayford after Britt Assombalonga scores at the death
Dejection for Tom Naylor and John Brayford after Britt Assombalonga scores at the death

Nigel Clough's side are aiming for a fourth consecutive league victory against Birmingham - but they may have to do so without Lucas Akins (hamstring) and Lloyd Dyer, who picked up a 'knock' in Monday's 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough.

The Blues have picked up form in recent weeks, with Garry Monk's outfit recording their third straight win on Tuesday night, beating Bolton Wanderers 1-0.

Victory for the hosts would be a huge blow to Albion's hopes of clawing back the current gap and surviving in the Championship again.

The Blues have picked up form under Garry Monk
The Blues have picked up form under Garry Monk

To get in touch and have your say, tweet us @BurtonAlbionBM, @JoshuaMurrayBM or @RichardCusackBM.

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Make sure you check burtonmail.co.uk/sport very soon for much more reaction to Burton Albion’s 1-1 draw with Birmingham City.

Good evening!

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Garry Monk, ladies and gents...

We’re hugely frustrated because it’s clearly the wrong decision.I knew it at the time. And we’ve watched it back. It’s a good point to go from a losing position, missing all those chances.

Garry Monk of Birmingham City
Garry Monk of Birmingham City (Image: James Wilson/Epic Action Imagery)
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More reaction from the manager...

Not as much because I thought Birmingham, over the course of the game, did much more than Middlesbrough did and no doubt deserved a goal.They hit the bar and the post, had one disallowed. I thought they played very well and created a lot of chances and caused us a lot of problems today. Yes of course, when you get that close and when you get to 85 minutes and you concede. It’s happened numerous times this season. That’s the difference between this season and last season. We came here 12 months ago and we saw it through. We haven’t managed to that this season, but it’s not through lack of effort or anything. It’s a brilliant, brilliant header, the equaliser. He must have headed it from 15 yards out or something. So it’s a brilliant header. We just couldn’t quite get out. We were under siege and the nice thing was we didn’t concede again and we could have done. And even in the last minute of stoppage time we have situations ourselves to win it. We have a corner and a couple of half chances. I said to the players: ‘no matter how much pressure you’re under, you can always go and win the game. You only need one shot. Lloyd got his customary goal and we got our noses in front which we didn’t deserve, and we’re just a bit disappointed with the way we played first-half. I thought we gave the ball away too much.

Nigel Clough of Burton Albion
Nigel Clough of Burton Albion (Image: James Wilson/Epic Action Imagery)
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Nigel Clough's post-match thoughts...

I thought Birmingham created much more than Middlesbrough did and deserved a goal. I thought they played very well. That’s the difference between this season and last, we saw it through.

Nigel Clough and Andy Garner
Nigel Clough and Andy Garner (Image: James Wilson/Epic Action Imagery)
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Nigel Clough's presser coming up

Unless Garry Monk arrives first...

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The verdict - if you can stomach it...

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It makes you want to tear your hair out...

Doesn’t it? Four points given up inside the final few minutes of Burton’s last couple of matches.

A real shame they couldn’t see that one out.

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Full-time!

Another sickener for Burton - that’s going to be a tough one to take.

The Brewers worked so hard to nullify Birmingham and took the lead through Lloyd Dyer.

They battened down the hatches, though, and Garry Monk’s side eventually found a way through with Lukas Jutkiewicz levelling.

Reaction, as always, to follow.

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90: Counter!

Jota counters and weaves his way through Albion’s defence, winning a corner in the process.

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90: Turner heads it out for a throw-in

Last roll of the dice for Burton to get a win, I reckon.

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90: Corner!

Boyce’s marauding run wins a late corner for Burton.

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90: Five minutes of added time!

Birmingham look the more likely to score a second.

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89: Close!

Birmingham nearly go in front, but Jutkiewicz is offside when he collects the ball.

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87: GOAL!

Jutkiewicz heads home after a cross from the right.

Yet another sucker-punch for the Brewers.

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86: Close!

Jutkiewicz goes close with a header, but Bywater saves it.

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85: Brawl!

Maghoma swings a cross in, and Ndoye bundles into Bywater.

The handbags are swiftly put away, though.

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84: Birmingham sub

Maxime Colin is repalced by Cheikh Ndoye.

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83: Final Burton change

Luke Murphy replaced Jacob Davenport.

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The all-important goal...

Lloyd Dyer of Burton Albion opens the scoring against Birmingham City
Lloyd Dyer of Burton Albion opens the scoring against Birmingham City (Image: James Wilson/Epic Action Imagery)
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79: Andy Garner has been sent to the stands

Referee Bond wants him out of the technical area - not quite sure why, though.

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79: Boyce is down after a collision with Michael Morrison

The striker was certainly caught in an aerial duel by the centre-back.

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78: Over from Davis again!

The midfielder fires over from distance after some good hold-up play from Jutkiewicz.

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75: Chances!

Chances galore for Birmingham!

Jutkiewicz fires over from close range after Bywater did well to stop the first couple of efforts.

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74: Turning into a bit of a backs-to-the-wall job here

Birmingham are having lots of the ball, predictably.

Burton have switched to a 5-4-1 since Turner replaced Bent.

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70: Off-the-bar!

David Davis fires an excellent effort on Bywater’s goal, but it’s just inches over and skims the bar on it’s way.

Birmingham have done everything but score.

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Raw passion.

Lloyd Dyer of Burton Albion celebrates opening the scoring against Burton Albion
Lloyd Dyer of Burton Albion celebrates opening the scoring against Burton Albion (Image: James Wilson/Epic Action Imagery)
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68: Denied!

Jutkiewicz is once again denied by Bywater!

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65: Cleared!

Naylor does well to head away after Maghoma’s cross caused carnage in the Albion box...

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64: Brewers sub

Darren Bent is replaced Ben Turner.

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61: Post!

Jota hits the woodwork from distance - Bywater was rooted to the spot.

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