Jamie Ward started against struggling Rotherham after a wrist injury, whilst Stuart Beavon missed out through injury.
Rotherham started the brightest of the two teams, but their chances weren't enough to trouble Jon McLaughlin, and the Millers were made to pay as Burton Albion took the lead.GOAL: Jackson Irvine scored his 7th goal of the season when Chris O'Grady's shot inside the box was blocked and the ball fell kindly to the midfielder who slotted home to put Burton Albion ahead (1-0).
Jamie Ward had a good opportunity to double Burton's advantage just ten minutes later as he let a pass roll across his body before snatching at a left-footed shot towards goal, which sailed over the crossbar.
Chris O'Grady came close to opening his Brewers account when his shot was brilliantly tipped over by Lewis Price, but a goal kick was given.
Half time: Burton Albion 1-0 Rotherham United
Irvine could have had his 8th goal of the season, and the second of the game when he had two good shots blocked on the edge of the Rotherham box before the Millers manage to clear.
The Australian midfielder definitely should have had his second just seconds later when Chris O'Grady won the ball in the corner of the field before pulling it back, it was left by Jamie Ward for Jackson Irvine who couldn't quite wrap his foot around the ball to guide it into the goal.
The Brewers limited Rotherham to long-range efforts and Joe Mattock nearly accepted the invitation before the hour mark when his struck a left-footed effort towards goal which bounced just in front of Jon McLaughlin but the Albion stopped held it well.
GOAL: The goal of the season competition was probably decided by this goal. Rotherham cleared the ball from a Brewers cross, but the ball fell into the path of Matty Palmer who smashed an absolute screamer into the top corner (2-0).
With a busy calendar ahead of Burton Albion, Nigel Clough perhaps looked to rest some of his players towards the end of the game when Tom Naylor and Jamie Ward were replaced by Hamza Choudhury and Will Miller.
Chris O'Grady put in a solid performance once again in a Burton Albion shirt, and he was rested with five minutes to go as he was replaced by Tom Flanagan.
GOAL: The visitors grabbed a late goal deep into the four minutes of added time when Tom Adeyemi got on the end of a back-post cross to make it 2-1.
FT: Burton Albion 2-1 Rotherham United
Attendance: 4,446
Ash's man of the match: Matty Palmer