LEEDS boss Garry Monk has praised Burton Albion’s rise to the Championship, branding it an “incredible achievement” but felt that his side deserved more than a 2-1 loss on Saturday.
The Brewers moved to within a point of Championship survival after goals from Marvin Sordell and Michael Kightly secured all three points for Nigel Clough’s side. Monk, who was a key player for Swansea City during their incredible rise from the fourth tier of English football to the Premier League, praised Burton for their recent success.“It is an incredible achievement," he added. "They have grown, haven't they (Burton), and grown and grown and now competing, for a small club, at a really high level and competing extremely well and Saturday's result is going to help with that and secure that.
"Overall, we're very disappointed with our own situation and felt we definitely didn't deserve to lose that game today. We were pushing to win, but credit to Burton, it is a fantastic story.
"I have been lucky in my career to, in terms of a small club making its way and punching above its weight, have been involved in that and know how it feels to be part of that and part of the community of that.
"So, credit to Burton and it is a great achievement what they have done this season."
However, the Leeds boss did feel that his team deserved more from the game than what they got. Leeds have now won just one of their last six Championship games and have seen their play-off chances dwindle as a result.
Monk said: “We're disappointed and feel it is an extremely unfair result on my players.
"Considering it was two teams that had to win, it was only one team with the full intention of trying to win it completely, but it is what it is.
"We started the second half extremely well and pushing and looked the most dangerous team, so the [first] goal came right against the run of play, and unfortunately it was a mistake from ourselves.
"I think we just lost our composure for those few minutes afterwards and I think it was the shock they had actually scored the goal, considering we were the ones on the front foot - but then they managed to get a second in that short period.
"We pushed and fought to the end and had our chances, and half chances, but maybe lacked that bit of quality throughout the game in certain situations, which we should have done better with.”
Burton Albion will secure their Championship status if they avoid defeat against Barnsley, or if Blackburn Rovers fail to beat Aston Villa.