BURTON Albion's Young Brewers were made to rue missed chances as they conceded in the 90th minute in a physical game that ended 1-1 at St George’s Park on Friday.
The Brewers' Professional Development Phase side were looking to kick on from their victory away to Hartlepool last week, but they came unstuck as a 90th-minute equaliser cancelled out Toby Oakes’ early opener.
Albion knew it was going to be a very physical affair if the away fixture earlier on in the season was anything to go by. The Brewers recognised a bright start was very much needed and a bright start is what they delivered. From the get-go, wing-backs Tristan Bennett and Ben Maginness looked dangerous getting in-behind the Rotherham defence trying to create chances.
The first clear-cut chance came after 14 minutes. From the right wing, Kiyan Baker-McKay fizzed the ball across the box into the feet of Dylan Scott whose shot was goal-bound had it not been deflected, sending the ball wide.
The Brewers didn’t have to wait much longer for their opener. Conor Pace whipped in a peach of a cross left-footed onto the head of OAKES who headed home from close range to give Burton the lead on 17 minutes.
After the goal, Rotherham clicked into gear and started to play some nice football. On 27 minutes following a corner, Leiwi Abraham headed the ball back into the danger zone finding Will Jenkinson in acres of space. His free header looked to be going in but Kamil Dudek was out of his goal quickly to make a great save and keep Albion in front.
Burton responded well and it was their wing-backs who drove them forward once again. When Maginness ran down the right-hand-side and cut the ball back to Baker-McKay, his cross invited Scott to head the ball into the net, however the striker got a bit too much on the header and sent it over.
Just before half time, Albion got more joy down the sides. This time it was Bennett down the left found Joe Nyahwema in the box, his shot was well struck but keeper Bailey Hamilton was down quickly to ensure his side went into the break only one goal down.
HALF-TIME: BURTON ALBION 1-0 ROTHERHAM UNITED
The Young Brewers started the second half as they started the first. On 48 minutes, the Bennett-Nyahwema combination linked up once again with Bennett sending Nyahwema through on goal. Albion looked like they were about to go 2-0 up but Hamilton was out quickly once more to deny Nyahwema and keep the score at 1-0.
Hamilton was called upon once again in the 68th minute. Baker-McKay broke down the right wing once more and slid it across to Scott, his shot looked to be creeping in but had it not been for the tremendous Hamilton who somehow managed to get something on the ball to put it behind for a corner.
Albion continued to dominate and create chances. When McKay put another great cross into the box on 78 minutes, Scott met the ball with his head and looped it over the helpless Hamilton but fortunately, the ball was headed off the line and Rotherham were saved once more.
The Young Brewers would end up regretting their missed chances in the 90th minute. Hamid Seisay’s long throws were a threat and this time Archie Day was able to get on the end of one, turning the ball into the back of the net and breaking Burton hearts as their defence was beaten right at the death.
Albion hope that they can learn from this and return to winning ways when they travel to Scunthorpe next week with only a few games remaining in the season before the league splits in half.
FULL-TIME: BURTON ALBION 1-1 ROTHERHAM UNITED
Albion: Dudek, Maginness, Bennett, Tamen, Gilbert, Oakes, Baker-McKay, Pace, Scott (Ademiluyi, 90), Hazell, Nyahwema (Wakelin, 74).
Unused subs: Ranger, Rush, Knowles