BURTON Albion captain John Brayford says the clean sheet at Accrington Stanley on Friday is a good platform heading into tomorrow’s home game with Swindon Town.
Albion were unlucky not to take the lead in the first half at Wham Stadium when Jonny Smith hit the bar, but the Brewers then held firm as Stanley had chances in the second half to take the lead, defending well throughout to take a first clean sheet in four games.
Swindon, just two places below the Brewers, have won two of their last three matches and Brayford wants Albion to use that Accrington draw as a platform heading into the clash with the Robins at the Pirelli Stadium.
“It can be a massive platform - if you can go over Easter and get four points, you can think we’ve done a good job,” said Brayford.
“We’re at home, coming off the back of a clean sheet and a hard-fought point, and the lads have put the effort in and it’s something to build on going into the Swindon game.
“It’s a big game, they’ve been in a similar situation to us and are going to play like their lives depend on it.
“We’ve got to stand up and be counted for, like we did on Saturday, and try to, when we get into those situations, to make it count.”
That Accrington draw ensured the Brewers remain unbeaten under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Dino Maamria away from home, going eight games without defeat on the road this season.
“It’s a hell of a run and that’s down to the lads and the staff,” said Brayford.
“It’s having that mentality that when you do go away from home, it isn’t going to be easy.
“You can’t always play your pretty football - it’s about playing in the right areas and it was typified at Accrington.”