BRIGHTON scored a late penalty to end Burton Albion's 5 game unbeaten run in the Sky Bet Championship.
Nigel Clough was still without some of his key players for the visit of Brighton, as he was for the trip to Fulham on Tuesday night, but he managed to name 18 players including academy product Joe Sbarra who took a place on the bench.Brighton saw a lot of the ball early on, whilst the Brewers kept their shape well, limiting Brighton to long-range opportunities which Anthony Knockaert ensured he had his say in. He lined up a shot from range which carried some power but Jon McLaughlin held at the second attempt.
The Brewers went down the other end to test the visiting goalkeeper through Tuesday's goal scorer Jackson Irvine. Between Ward, Miller and Irvine Burton Albion opened up the opportunity for the Australian to test Stockdale but he made a smart save at the near post.
Jamie Ward was making his home debut and he nearly celebrated it with a stunning goal but his 20-yard effort stung the palms of Stockdale and was cleared by Brighton.
Half time: Burton Albion 0-0 Brighton
Neither teams made any changes at the half time break.
The visitors came out of the traps quickly in the second half and could have taken the lead through Lewis Dunk who saw his header hit the cross bar from a well-delivered corner.
Will Miller was replaced by Marcus Harness on the hour mark in a like-for-like swap.
Ben Fox was handed his league debut as he replaced Hamza Choudhury with just under 15 minutes to go.
The second half had very few chances but one of the best came to the Brewers when Fox broke forward with the ball before diverting it to Harness who troubled Stockdale with his deep cross and Brighton managed to clear before Dyer could get a touch.
GOAL: Brighton took the lead in the 88th minute when Williamson brought down Skalak in the box and Hemed tucked away the penalty (0-1).
FT: Burton Albion 0-1 Brighton and Hove Albion.
Attendance: 4,756
Ash's man of the match: Jackson Irvine