Burton Albion boss Paul Peschisolido has praised his side’s work rate after their 3-1 win over Southend United on Saturday (December 11), writes Liam Staley.
The Brewers lead the visitors 2-0 at the break through Jacques Maghoma and an own goal from Luke Prosser.
Blair Sturrock netted six minutes into the second-half to give the visitors a lifeline but Aaron Webster sealed the win with a superb curling effort.
Despite the win, Peschisolido admitted that the Brewers passing was poor, but praised his side’s persistence.
He told BBC Radio Derby: “It was satisfactory. I can’t say I was happy with the first half performance; in fact it was probably one of our worst. Our passing was poor but at least the work rate and endeavour was there.
Paul Peschisolido
“We closed them down well but we just kept giving them the ball – but at least we kept going.”
Peschisolido also hailed the performance of Congolese midfielder Maghoma, who played a starring role in securing Albion’s win with a goal and an assist.
He added: “I thought Jacques (Maghoma) was superb. That is two good games now and we have given him a challenge to keep going because on his day he is unplayable, but he’s got to be on his day every week.”
The opening exchanges of the game were scrappy as both sides lacked any fluency.
The Brewers won a penalty against the run of play on 12 minutes after former Shrewsbury centre-back Graham Coughlan fouled James Collins just inside the box, but the Aston Villa loanee squandered the chance and fired wide of the post.
Burton found their feet and should have opened the scoring when Andy Corbett’s cross was met by an unmarked Webster but he could only divert his volley straight at the Southend’s stopper Glenn Morris.
Collins missed another golden chance in the 28th minute after the striker played a neat one-two with Webster before shooting wide of the far post.
Pirelli Stadium
Eight minutes later, Albion’s goal did come through Maghoma. Russell Penn placed a low drilled cross into the path of Maghoma who on was on hand to fire home from close range.
Albion doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time thanks to an own goal. Scott Malone whipped in a long range free kick which Prosser diverted into his own net.
Southend started the second-half much brighter and were rewarded with a goal virtually straight away, made by two substitutes.
Ryan Hall was fouled by Adam Bolder and it was Hall’s free kick which found a rising Sturrock who headed past a sprawling Adam Legzdins.
The goal gave Southend some brief momentum as Legzdins was on hand to brilliantly palm away Barry Corr’s shot inside the box.
On 57 minutes the Brewers got the match-winning third goal courtesy of Webster. Collins intercepted the ball but it was Maghoma who broke away and found Webster in the centre. Webster then curled a sublime left footed shot into the top corner from 25 yards to bring up Albion’s 100th goal in the Football League.
Scott Malone nearly set up Albion’s fourth goal but substitute Shaun Harrad’s effort was excellently tipped around the post by keeper Glenn Morris seven minutes from time.
The win moves Albion up to 12th and four points off the elusive play-offs.
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