The Brewers continued their excellent form with hard earned victory over Port Vale thanks to Jacques Maghoma's brilliant individual effort. The atmosphere at the Pirelli Stadium was white hot with an attendance of 4644 and a sell out of the away tickets.

Jacques Maghoma's 39th minute strike seperated the two sides at half time. In an even contest Louis Dodds and Rob Taylor also had chances for Port Vale.

Brewers boss Paul Peschisolido named an unchanged side once again for the visit of Staffordshire rivals Port Vale.

The Brewers will have been looking to avenge the recent 3-1 defeat at Vale Park last month. 

Shaun Harrad continued up front with Steve Kabba as he aimed to maintain his fine run of goalscoring form. 

With the away end at capacity, the Pirelli Stadium enjoyed a terrific atmosphere heading into the match.

Shaun Harrad almost capitalised on some hesitant Vale defending after 25 seconds. A long ball from the 'keeper evaded the defence but Harrad's lob cleared the crossbar.

Cleveland Taylor looked lively in the opening stages with some strong running at his namesake Kris Taylor. A succession of Albion corners on six minutes threatened Martin in the Vale goal but the ball was eventually cleared.

Vale had their first opening on 8 minutes when Louis Dodds was played in on goal, Artur Krysiak spread himself well to deny the visitors taking the lead.

A deft back heal from Kabba almost played in McGrath on 15 minutes but Lee Collins made a crucial interception.

Krysiak was called into action on 30 minutes when Lee Collins' free kick went past everybody in the box and was caught in the line by the on loan Birmingham City man.

Burton took the lead on 39 minutes when Jacques MAGHOMA skipped past three challenges as he ran into the Vale box on the right before firing in at the near post.

Rob Taylor could have immedietly equalised for Vale but he crashed his shot high over the bar.

Half time

Tom Parkes had an early effort blocked in the second half following a corner kick.

Maghom had a great chance to double his tally on 50 minutes. Steve Kabba played the ball across from the right to the unmarked Maghoma but the ex Tottenham midfielder failed to take the ball in his stride and the chance was gone.

Harrad and Dodds were both booked on 55 minutes for a scuffle on the ball. Aaron Webster and Russell Penn soon followed their team mate into the referee's notebook as the game threatened to boil over.

Kris Taylor went close on 61 minutes with a curling free kick from 25 yards.

Craig Davies went close to equalising in the 69th minute. He shrugged off Parkes' challenge but his shot deflected off Krysiak onto the post and away to safety for the Brewers.

With 15 minutes remaining Burton broke with pace at Port Vale. Maghoma and Kabba linked nicely down the left but the cross from the latter was overhit with Harrad waiting in the centre.

Kabba stole in at the near post from Harrad's low cross on 83 minutes but the striker could only poke the ball wide.

And a minute later Sean Rigg scooped the ball over the bar for Vale when in a strong shooting position.

Peschisolido brought on Stoke man Jimmy Phillips for Cleveland Taylor on 84 minutes and then replaced Harrad with O'Neil Thompson in the 87th.

Thompson took up his station sitting in front of the back for as the Brewers looked to see out the final stages of the match.

The Brewers had to see out a nervy five minutes of injury time but Peschisolido's men held on to avenge the January defeat at Vale Park.

Albion man of the match: John McGrath - His battling display in midfield swung the game the Brewers way.

Attendance: 4644

Booked: Burton - Harrad (55), Webster (57), Penn (60), Krysiak (89). Port Vale - Dodds (55) 

Burton: Krysiak, Corbett, Webster, James, Parkes, Penn, McGrath, Taylor (Phillips 84), Maghoma, Harrad (Thompson 87), Kabba. Subs: Poole, Walker, Gilroy, Thompson, Phillips, Pearson, Knowles.

Port Vale: Martin, R Taylor, Griffith (Howland 62), Richards, Fraser, Yates, Dodds (Rigg 62), Collins, Owen, Davies, K Taylor (Horsfield 86). Subs: Anyon, McCombe, Howland, Rigg, Glover, Lawrie, Horsfield.

Referee: Mr P. Crossley