Burton Albion trialist Luke McCormick struck late on to earn the Brewers their first win of pre-season at the end of a hard-fought friendly with Kidderminster Harriers.

The National League North side led at half-time courtesy of an Ed Williams' strike as another strong first-half XI for the Brewers struggled to make good possession count.

But Joe Sbarra levelled things up just after the break with his second goal in as many games this summer, and the game opened up thereafter as both teams rang the changes throughout the second 45.

That included an appearance off the bench for Darren Bent, who has been training with the Brewers and replaced Liam Boyce up top as the game wore on.

It was another man who is not currently an Albion player, though, that got the winner.

Ex-Nottingham Forest forward McCormick latched onto a loose ball after Matty Lund had swung in a fine cross from the right and slammed it home in the 88th minute to earn Albion a positive result after a high-intensity match which will have yielded other, more valuable rewards than the scoreline.

Relive the game as it happened with all the updates from Aggborough below.

FULL TIME

Once again, there’s barely time for much more after the late goal.

The Brewers earn their first win of pre-season, running out 2-1 victors.

They weren’t always at their best, but that was certainly a valuable step up in intensity which Nigel Clough’s side will benefit from.

  • Share

GOAL Brewers - 2-1

It’s another late winner in a Burton pre-season game - but it’s the Brewers who get it this time.

The ball is worked well out to Lund after a good run by McCormick. The ex-Forest man ultimately benefits, because he is free in the box to rifle home the loose ball when Lund’s pinpoint cross is only half punched clear.

  • Share

84. Close from Harness

Can Albion find a late winner after conceding late on last Friday?

Marcus Harness is certainly looking, arrowing a powerful shot at the Harriers goal. Good save denies him.

  • Share

Water break?

  • Share

81. Allen weaving

Quick feet from Jamie Allen, who dances around three would-be tacklers on the edge of the Harriers box but can’t collect a one-two pass from Sbarra.

At the other end, Ashley Chambers sends a tame header into Campbell’s arms.

  • Share

On comes Armitage, off goes Fraser

  • Share

75. Opening up

Unsurprisingly, this game is becoming more stretched. Neither side has produced a really clear-cut chance in the past 10 or 15 minutes, but there is more space opening up between the banks of midfield and defence.

Bent was almost slipped in by Sbarra, but his touch was just too heavy.

  • Share

More changes

It’s pre-season, after all. Another trio of Albion subs: Reece Hutchinson, Luke McCormick - a second outing for the trialist - and Harry Campbell replace McCrory, Hodge and Bywater.

  • Share

Bent on for Brewers

He’s one of three more Brewers changes. Lucas Akins, Marvin Sordell and Liam Boyce make way, with Matty Lund, Marcus Harness and Darren Bent - who has been training with Albion after being released by Derby County - coming on.

  • Share

58. Allen tests keeper

A Burton free-kick after more pressure - and Allen steps up to curl goalwards.

It’s on target, but Brandon Hall is down to claim and hold on.

Now Kidderminster prepare to make NINE changes, so there might be a quick break in play here!

  • Share

55. Brewers on top

It’s not been a vintage performance, but Albion are starting to pile the pressure on their hosts.

Fraser has twice fired over from distance, and Hodge now drills one wide after him and Sbarra do well to battle and win posession upfield.

  • Share

GOAL Brewers - 1-1

Just like Friday night, the Brewers are level just after the break - and it’s this man again.

Joe Sbarra reads the game well here, nipping in to nick a sloppy midfield pass, charging clear and finishing calmly past Brandon Hall.

Joe Sbarra celebrates his equaliser against Mickleover Sports
Joe Sbarra celebrates his equaliser against Mickleover Sports (Image: John Potts/Burton Albion FC)
  • Share

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY

Just the three changes for Burton at the break.

Buxton, Brayford and Fox make way. On in their place are Kyle McFadzean, Jamie Allen and Joe Sbarra.

Off we go again.

Jamie Allen leads the warm-ups at the Cardiff City Stadium
Jamie Allen leads the warm-ups at the Cardiff City Stadium (Image: Richard Burley/Epic Action Imagery)
  • Share

HALF TIME

Little of not in the final 10 minutes of the half. Sordell tried his luck from range with a dipping shot that Hall dived to tip away - and that is as good as it got for Burton.

Not the most slick 45 minutes, perhaps unsurprising at this stage of the summer.

Kidderminster looked sharp and full of intensity, though.

  • Share

Verdict so far

  • Share

20. Boyce goes close

Better from Albion’s perspective. Fraser again adds initiative at the start of an attack, Hodge gets it off Fox, turns his man and slides Akins down the right.

His low centre is aimed at Boyce, who slides in to tap home - but it’s agonisingly in front of him.

Not yet for Albion...

  • Share

16. A pre-season pass

Albion just not finding their range at the minute. Akins nicks the ball off Higginson upfield to spark a Burton break, moments after they have fallen behind.

But his pass into the box runs directly between Hodge and Boyce - and the chance is gone.

Lucas Akins in action for Burton Albion
Lucas Akins in action for Burton Albion (Image: Richard Burley/Epic Action Imagery)
  • Share

GOAL Kidderminster (1-0)

The hosts have been the more threatening side so far - and they have their reward inside 14 minutes.

Williams is able to run straight at a retreating Burton defence, before rifling a low shot which leaves Bywater stranded.

  • Share

7. Good work down the right

...but it comes to nothing. Akins slides Brayford in, only for his cross-shot to be palmed clear by Brandon Hall in the home goal.

  • Share

5. Sloppiness so far

The Brewers have been a little loose with their passing so far, nothing really sticking.

Formation wise, it’s the 4-1-4-1/4-3-3 again. Fox is sitting, Hodge and Fraser the other central midfielders, with Sordell on the left and Akins on the right.

Egert is at centre-half, Brayford at right-back.

Tomas Egert pushes forward for Burton Albion at Mickleover Sports
Tomas Egert pushes forward for Burton Albion at Mickleover Sports (Image: John Potts/Burton Albion FC)
  • Share

KICK OFF

We’re underway at Aggborough - and it’s the earliest of let-offs for the Brewers, as Lee Vaughan gets in behind McCrory down the Kidderminster right but floats his cross just over the incoming trialist at the back post.

  • Share

Who is Tom Armitage?

Albion have trialist Luke McCormick on the bench, as well as Darren Bent.

But there is also a spot for young defender Tom Armitage, who is a first-year scholar with the Brewers academy.

Quite a big evening for him, then, even in pre-season! All the best, Tom.

  • Share

Sbarra scores, Fraser finds his feet but Burton beaten

That was the story of Albion’s first friendly of the summer at Mickleover Sports on Friday.

They were beaten 2-1, despite Joe Sbarra’s second-half equaliser.

New signing Fraser was among the brightest sparks before the break.

Here’s how things panned out at the Don Amott Arena...

Scott Fraser in action for Burton Albion against Mickleover Sports
Scott Fraser in action for Burton Albion against Mickleover Sports (Image: John Potts/Burton Albion FC)
  • Share

Templeton watches on

Scott Fraser starts again in the Burton midfield tonight - but David Templeton’s slight injury keeps him out again.

  • Share

Full Brewers team news

  • Share

Bent on the bench

Darren Bent has been training with the Brewers so far this pre-season to keep himself fit while weighing up his options for a next move, having been released by Derby County in May.

Tonight, he is among the Albion substitutes and could feature off the bench.

He scored two goals in 15 appearances for Burton last season.

Darren Bent cups his ear to the Sunderland fans
Darren Bent cups his ear to the Sunderland fans (Image: James Wilson/Epic Action Imagery)
  • Share

The pre-season work continues

Welcome to Aggborough - the scene of Burton Albion’s second friendly of pre-season.

They take on National League North Kidderminster Harriers from 7.45pm.

  • Share