NIGEL Clough says Ben Fox’s late winner was just reward for his side’s perseverance and quality after our 1-0 win at home to Bristol Rovers today.
Burton-born Fox struck just into added time to secure a deserved three points for Albion, who had twice hit the woodwork in search of a first league win since September 15.
And after a neat ball into the box from Lucas Akins, Fox turned on a sixpence in front of goal and fired in low - particularly pleasing Brewers boss Clough, who felt his side got their rewards for not resorting to more direct play late on.
“We hit the post and the bar, and you don’t think it’s coming,” said Clough.
“I think it was a reward for persevering and doing the right thing, not resorting to just throwing the ball in the box.
“We kept playing and kept passing, and the winning goal showed that.
“It gives them what they’ve deserved in the last few weeks - that small break we haven’t been getting and didn’t get for the majority of today.”
While Clough felt Albion were not at their absolute best at the Pirelli Stadium, he said the clean sheet for Albion’s back four and goalkeeper was as pleasing as Fox’s vital contribution.
“I don’t think we were as good as we were against Southend and Wycombe at times, but we were solid at the back,” said Clough.
“We reduced a good side to very chances again, with Dimitar not having much to do. The clean sheet is as important as the winning goal for us.
“He hasn’t played too many games in his career but he said he’s had so little to do in the last few games! The clean sheet is nice for him and the whole back four as well.”
Albion were without Liam Boyce (international duty), David Templeton (shoulder) and Marvin Sordell (hip) today - and the result pleased Clough more with that in mind.
“When you’ve got no Boyce, Templeton, Sordell and you lose Fraser after an hour, we might not be at our best finishing or creating stuff,” added Clough.
“It takes something - a midfielder to get forward in the 90th minute and get us a goal.”