NIGEL Clough says the victory over Shrewsbury shows that his team can battle as well as play football.
Albion needed a gritty display in blustery weather to halt an in-form Shrewsbury team and record a 2-1 win.
The Brewers boss said: “We needed a lot of qualities we haven’t always shown enough of this season, especially in the second half. We couldn’t play an awful lot of football, but we battled and scrapped for everything as we had to against a team putting us under pressure with the wind behind them.
“We needed some height and brought Ben Turner and Jake Buxton on.
“We needed to look after that two-goal lead and seven minutes of added time seemed an awful long time.
“But we didn’t have any scares after they scored deep in injury time and saw it out well.
“We aren’t good enough to sit on a one-goal lead – I don’t know many teams who are – so it was important to get that second goal.”
Marcus Harness played a part in the second goal, flashing a dangerous ball across the face of the Shrewsbury goal before it was pulled back for Scott Fraser to score.
Clough praised the substitute’s contribution
He said: “He has impressed and that’s why he’s come on. We could have put Devante Cole or Joe Sbarra out there, but we thought Marcus deserved his chance. He has done well whenever he has come on.”
There was also praise for Lucas Akins on his 200th appearance for the club,
Clough said: “That’s lot of games as he doesn’t miss many. He can frustrate you at times by kicking it up in the air or miss-controlling it but he’s still one of the first names you write on the team sheet.”