BURTON Albion's starting XI against Gresley consisted of four academy players, one trialist and six first-team players including new signing Ryan Delaney.
Gresley started the game very lively and forced two early corners out of the Brewers. Their second corner was taken short which was eventually whipped in and the flight of the ball nearly caught Wakeman out but the trialist in the Albion sticks did enough to tip it onto the bar.GOAL - Burton Albion fell behind just 12 minutes into the game. Gresley's persistent pressure paid off after a surging run down the right provided Courtney Mead with a perfect opportunity to tap home, and he made no mistake from 12 yards 1-0.
The home side nearly doubled their lead before the 20-minute mark as another dangerous corner caught out Wakeman in the Albion goal who missed his punch but luckily the resulting shot was blocked well by Irishman Delaney.
GOAL - Courtney Mead doubled Gresley's advantage just after the half hour mark as Barrett bustled his way through the middle before the ball fell to Mead who powerfully thumped it past Wakeman in the Albion goal 2-0.
The Brewers livened up towards the end of the first half but they were nearly opened up on the counter-attack. Another cross was allowed in from the right and again it was met by the forward but his effort was straight at Wakeman.
HT - Gresley 2-0 Burton Albion
Cameron Shaw replaced Calum Butcher for Burton Albion at the break.
GOAL - Gresley wasted no time in adding to their margin, just three minutes into the second half there was a third goal for the home side. The tricky winger twisted and turned past Delaney and Steele before slotting calmly past Wakeman in the Albion goal 3-0.
Phil Edwards was replaced by Joe Hunt just before the hour mark for Burton Albion.
GOAL - Marcus Harness carried on his fine pre-season form as he added his 6th goal of the campaign to pull a goal back for the Brewers. He received the ball from Delaney on the edge of the box before turning and firing past the Gresley stopper 3-1.
Dylan Garnett tried his luck from 20 yards midway into the second half but his powerful left-footed effort was well saved by the Gresley keeper low to his left.
The Albion goal scorer Marcus Harness was replaced with 20 minutes to go, Charlie Dowd his replacement.
Charlie Dowd looked to have pulled another one back for the Albion with ten minutes to go as he danced his way through the Gresley defence with ease but his shot was blocked well by the Gresley stopper.
GOAL - The Brewers did pull one back on 80 minutes through Dylan Garnett. He had looked dangerous all evening with his left foot and his efforts finally paid off when he curled a 25-yard shot into the top corner of the Gresley net to make it 3-2.
FT - Gresley 3-2 Burton Albion