Burton Albion Football Club

Burton Albion manager Gary Rowett was delighted with the way his team started as they won 2-1 away at Oxford United.

With only half an hour on the clock, Dominic Knowles and Zeli Ismail put the Brewers into a 2-0 lead, and Billy Kee's saved penalty could have put Albion out of sight.

"I'd say it was our best start this season. The first 15 to 20 minutes at home to Accrington were excellent, but as an away team we've come to Oxford and dominated early on.

"The front four were a real handful and that showed when we got the first and second goals and a penalty after 30 minutes. It wasn't quite the defining moment in the game but still a huge one. 

"Had we scored that it would have been game over, but we didn't and we had to manage the disappointment. We knew we had to start well in the second half and win that half. We lost the second half 1-0 which was okay but we had to come out and do the right things. 

"We hung in after they scored and they put us under some pressure, but we saw the game out really well," said Rowett.

The win puts Burton within two points of the top three, and Rowett is keen to pick up points in any way.

"It's not about how you play now, it's about what you do in terms of getting results. We could have been more clinical but we were clinical enough in the first 30 minutes," he added.

Rowett had special praise for goalscorers Knowles and Ismail, and says there could have been more goals.

"Knowlesy took his goal really well, and Zeli did likewise when he got his chance. I thought we had other opportunities where a better touch or pass would have added to our tally.

"It' a huge win after conceding early in the second half, and to see it out in the way we did shows the character of the side," Rowett said.

Rowett is also looking to extend the loan deal of goalkeeper Rob Lainton, whose deal expired after today's game.

"We want to extend it and we always have. With it being a 93 day emergency loan it will be impossible for us to keep him all season. His kicking is immense and he's made some good saves. 

"At 2-1 up at the Kassam Stadium, you need your players to show their 'A' game and we needed Rob to make some good saves."