Burton Albion Football Club

In a game that had a little bit of everything Brewers boss Gary Rowett was delighted to leave Cumbria with all three points. The Brewers got off to an excellent start by going 4-1 up before half-time, but a late goal in injury time and another in the second-half meant the Brewers had to defend stoutly to keep hold of their three goal lead.  

"We spoke to them in the week and pre-match that we wanted to see a reaction and a performance full of character.

"When we do that we know we have the players that can hurt any team in this division.

"It's when we let ourselves down by not doing all those things. 

"First-half I thought we played with the bit between our teeth and was probably the best we've played all season.

"I was really pleased with how we went about things and Belly in particular gave us that little added bite in midfield."

The Brewers didn't get off to the best of starts and Rowett admits that it could have been one of those difficult evenings. The players endured a four hour coach journey on the morning of the match and with George Taft having to be replaced after two minutes, Rowett was delighted with the sides character. 

"It's a tough place to come and it was a long journey for us. 

"We came today and for four hours we sat on the coach.

"After two minutes Tafty went off with a torn hamstring, so you think wow this is another game where you're under the cosh and things go against us. 

"But there were some great goals tonight and I think the highlights show will be interesting. 

"If you look at the turning point of the game for us it was when we conceded on the stroke of half-time. 

"You knew if they'd got one early in the second-half, it was going to be a tough game. 

"We really dug in and showed amazing character. 

"At times it was almost two games going on, with our two strikers against their two defenders and everyone else in the opposing box.

"That's how it felt watching the game.

"It was a slightly nervy game in the end and we're not seeing games out as easier as we were earlier in the season or last season.

"They pinned us in, but we defended well and I felt we were really resilient."

The Brewers currently sit second in the table and level on points with Wycombe Wanderers who are top. It's been an excellent start to the season, but Rowett admits that he'd like to see a little more consistency from his players.

"Up until today we haven't played well in the last five or six, but we're winning a game losing a game.

"If we keep doing that till the end of the season we'll be in a fantastic position. 

"I'd like a little bit more consistency in our performances and I said in the week that being away from home for these two games isn't a negative for us. 

"The players might enjoy that at the moment and they showed the quality they've got when they do the right things,especially in the first-half when some of the attacking was absolutely brilliant."