BURTON Albion roared back to winning ways as braces from Daniel Jebbison and Jonny Smith saw them run out 4-0 winners over Accrington Stanley.
In a vibrant and entertaining performance Albion seized control of the game after a scrappy opening quarter when Jebbison turned on a loose ball and fired home on 28 minutes but a goal from Smith in first half stoppage time along with further strikes from Jebbison and the Brewers winger in a minute at the start of the second half took the game away from John Coleman's side and saw Albion return to winning ways in emphatic style.
Injuries and suspensions again meant that Albion were unable to name an unchanged side and, as on Saturday there were four changes for the visit of similarly out of form Accrington. Michael Mancienne (suspension), Jacob Maddox (hamstring), Joe Powell and Michael Bostwick all missed out. Lucas Akins came in at left wing back meaning a switch to centre back for Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, while Jonny Smith and Kane Hemmings returned to provide attacking support for Daniel Jebbison whilst Tom O'Connor partnered Terry Taylor in midfield in Mancienne's absence.
The visitors started brightly and Sean McConville fired in a rising drive on seven minutes as Accrington tried to capitalise on their start.
Albion built up a head of steam with a succession of corners and long throws to test out the Stanley defence but it was McConville who went closest with a rasping drive that ended up drifting just beyond Ben Garratt's outstretched hand and the far post.
But Albion came roaring back and had the lead on 28 minutes from one of their many corners. O'Connor's delivery was cleared to the edge of the box where Akins put it back in the danger area. Hemmings failed to get anything on it but JEBBISON was there to turn smartly and fire inside the near post.
And it was so nearly two a couple or minutes later when Leak, up for a free kick, found himself able to set himself for a shot at the back post which flew inches over the bar.
On the stroke of half time Smith had the chance to burst through one on one with keeper James Trafford but with Yeboah Amankwah trying to get back at him his early shot was well blocked by the keeper. The winger was handed another chance in the fourth added minute and this time, running onto Hemmings' header over the Accrington back line SMITH made no mistake finding the bottom corner.
Half time: Burton Albion 2-0 Accrington Stanley
A long throw from Hamer in the early seconds of the second half cacused problems for the Stanley defence but with his back to goal Jebbison could not hook the ball under the bar.
Stanley handed Albion their third on a plate when Harry Pell passed a free kick straight to SMITH and the winger advanced before hitting a deflected effort past the wrong footed Stanley keeper and a minute later it was four when Trafford mis-controlled a back pass from Ross Sykes to hand JEBBISON the simple task of firing into the empty net.
Albion did suffer a blow with the loss of O'Connor with a blood injury shortly afterwards with Bryn Morris sent on as a direct replacement in the middle of the park.
Although Stanley tried manfully to get themselves a goal at least the Burton defence was holding firm and there were still opportunities at the other end, Jebbison inches away from connecting with a long ball over the top, Trafford coming out of his area to get there just before the Sheffield United loanee to clear his lines.
Joel Mumbongo threatened to ruin Albion's clean sheet with a rapid burst on the turn that took him into the Burton penalty area before firing across Garratt but also wide of the far post.
Jebbison picked up a knock in a strong challenge shortly afterwards and despite trying to run it off was still struggling and with twenty minutes remaining was replaced by Omari Patrick.
There was to be no hat-trick for Smith either as he was replaced with ten to go, Charlie Lakin introduced into the action for the closing stages.
Tom Hamer tried to get in on the scoring act with a barm storming run on 86 minutes with Trafford having to go low to his left to push it around the post.
Albion thought they had made it five in added on time when Hemmings tapped home a low cross from Conor Shaughnessy but the flag of the assistant denied him a goal.
ALBION: (3-4-3) Garratt; Hamer, Shaughnessy, Leak; Akins, Taylor, O'Connor (Morris, 56), Borthwick-Jackson; Smith (Lakin, 81), Jebbison (Patrick, 70), Hemmings.
Substitutes: Hawkins, Powell, Amadi-Holloway, Chapman.
GOALS: ALBION - Jebbison (28, 50), Smith (45+4, 49)
Referee: Darren Drysdale
Attendance: 1,946