THE Burton Albion under 18s drew 1-1 with EFL Youth Alliance leaders Mansfield Town.
Jack Bromfield’s first-half strike put the Brewers ahead before an 85th minute equaliser from Henri Wilder.
The Brewers had plenty of chances in the first-half, with Tristan Matthews hitting the post. Bromfield gave Burton a deserved lead when his deflected effort beat the Mansfield goalkeeper.
Mansfield pushed back in the second-half with Oliver Fairbrother making a number of good saves, while the Burton defence managed a few important blocks. Wilder equalised in the 85th minute when the ball dropped to him inside the box after the Brewers failed to properly clear it.
Professional Development Phase Lead Coach Sam Rose said: “We're really pleased with the attitude and application of the group after today's game. Playing this Mansfield Town side is always a challenge but we were equally physical and aggressive and can be encouraged by the performance.
“We defended particularly well, and up until the last 15 minutes, restricted the opposition to very little from open play. Mansfield are a real threat from set pieces. They are well rehearsed and are difficult to match up in the box in terms of size and strength, but we stood up to it and that gave us a base to build on.
“We deserved the goal and we hit the post, had a goal disallowed in the first half and late chances cleared off the line, so there is a feeling that the game could have finished differently. We relied on some good shot stopping and clearances and blocks late in to the second half, whilst we didn't keep the ball in the attacking half well enough at key times which meant we defended more than we might have needed to.
“The equaliser tested our character and as the game opened up either team could have pinched a winner. Both teams ran themselves in to the ground today and it's a hard-earned point.”