MARK Helm and Tom Hamer grabbed the goals to give Albion a precious 2-1 win at ten-man Stevenage and end their winless run.

Helm struck in added time at the end of a low key first half and when Boro defender Dan Butler was shown a straight red card for an altercation with Helm it gave Albion the chance to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. This they did with Hamer thumping home to give the Brewers breathing space and meaning that when ex-Albion striker Kane Hemmings netted late on that it nothing more than a consolation.

Manager Martin Paterson made five changes for the penultimate away game of the season at The Lamex Stadium. Jasper Moon and Toto Nsiala returned in defence, Rekeem Harper and Deji Oshilaja came back into the midfield and Mason Bennett made a surprise return from injury to lead the attack. Ciaran Gilligan and Joe Hugill dropped to the bench while Ryan Sweeney missed out due to an ongoing family emergency. Ademola Ola-Adebomi and Tolaji Bola missed out on the mathday eighteen. Skipper John Brayford brought up his 600^th start in the EFL.

With a play-off place still a possibility for the home side it was no surprise that they dominated the opening exchanges with plenty of probing passes but nothing to worry Max Crocombe in goal.

Oshilaja picked up the first yellow card of the game for a mistimed challenge on Louis Thompson on halfway as the game hit the twenty moinute mark and three minutes later the home side carved out half a chance when Jamie Reid tried to make something of a lofted ball into the box but got it all wrong and skewed the ball well off target.

An injury blow to Brayford cut short his landmark appearance and meant a reshuffle as Steve Seddon got the call up from the bench as Tom Hamer moved into the middle.

Harper got a sight of goal on 35 minutes but with a crowd of bodies ahead of him on the edge of the box his low drive arced wide of the post.

After a pretty non-descript first half it was the Brewers who nudged In front in added on time. Joe Powell delivered a corner into the box and Hughes’ header was helped into the net by HELM to see it past ex-Albion keeper Craig McGillivray.

HALF TIME: STEVENAGE 0-1 BURTON ALBION

Both sides made changes for the second half, Stevenage making a double change and Albion taking Bennett off, clearly struggling with a knock, to be replaced by Hugill.

Stevenage threatened quickly after the break with Crocombe forced into a good save low down to deny Reid from an angled drive. Crocombe was called upon again moments later when Harvey White fired in a rising effort that needed punching away to safety.

Albion’s goal lived a charmed life moments later, Elliott List lifting the ball goalwards and a combination of Nsiala, Hughes and Moon somehow keeping the ball out by the post.

Crocombe was certainly being worked more in this half and another excellent save was required when Louis Thompson sent an effort towards the top corner on 55 minutes.

On the hour mark the game was stopped by the fourth official who had spotted an off the ball incident between Helm and Dan Butler. Referee Ben Toner produced a red card for Butler and a yellow for Helm amidst a great deal of confusion.

Hemmings was sent on for the final quarter of the game for the home side to try and turn the game around before Albion made a double change with Powell and Helm replaced by Mustapha Carayol and Ciaran Gilligan.

But even though the home side were pressing it was Albion who provided a sucker punch on 76 minutes by doubling their lead. Seddon took over free kick duties from the departed Powell and played a smart ball low into the box for Hughes. A deft touch from the big defender helped it into the path of HAMER and he slammed it into the bottom corner.

The home side gave themselves a chance to salvage something when Reid turned smartly to square across the box to give HEMMINGS a tap-in.

Carayol was proving a more that useful outlet on the left in the latter stages and a mazy run in stoppage time ended with a low shot that McGillivray had to turn around the post.

Albion had to resist late pressure but three points was secured with Albion doggedly defending their box.

With Exeter City running out 4-2 winners at Port Vale it leaves Albion three points clear of Vale in the battle to avoid relegation.

ALBION: Crocombe; Moon, Nsiala, Brayford (Seddon, 29), Hughes, Hamer; Powell Carayol, 69), Harper, Oshilaja, Helm (Gilligan, 69); Bennett (Hugill, 46).

Substitutes: Blackman, Kamwa, Hackford.

GOALS: STEVENAGE – Hemmings (88) ; ALBION – Helm (45+1), Hamer (76)

Referee: Ben Toner

Attendance: 4,040 (204 away)