Burton Albion boss hails gritty win over Southend

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.

Did you go the match? Can Burton Albion compete to grab one of those play-off spots? Let North Staffs Football know your thoughts.

Peschisolido hails players after first away win

Burton Albion boss Paul Peschisolido has praised his player’s persistence as they beat table toppers Chesterfield 2-1.

The Brewers took the lead through James Collins, as he dispossessed Dwayne Mattis and calmly placed the ball past a sprawling Tommy Lee in the Chesterfield goal.

The Spireites levelled the scores thanks to Danny Whittaker’s close-range shot as he turned in Derek Niven’s initial shot.

Shaun Harrad wrapped up the points for Burton with a snap shot on the turn.

The Brewers first win away from the Pirelli

Peschisolido told BBC Sport: “I thought the performance was excellent.

“They were unbeaten at home and we hadn’t won away, so it was kind of written.”

Niven was hero turned villain for the Spireites as he was given his marching orders following a professional foul.

Chesterfield could have snatched three points at the end but Scott Malone saved the Brewers with a goal-line clearance to deny Craig Davies.

New striker set to move to Newcastle Town

Newcastle Town manager Greg Clowes is set to announce a new signing after striker Scott Malone heads back to Port Vale.

Town are hoping to extend the Vale loanee’s term at the club but Clowes has said he wants more competition for places in the squad.

Lyme Valley Stadium

He added: “If we lose Scott (Malone) then we only have two strikers, so we are bringing in a lad from a league above to add competition to the squad.

“He is as good as anything we’ve got at the moment and we are hoping he will come in and improve the side.”

Town will replay their League Cup match with Chester City on Nov 30 after City failed to get to last week’s game due to traffic congestion.

Burton Albion through but Vale scrape late equaliser

Burton Albion and Port Vale have made into in the draw for the second-round of the FA Cup this weekend, writes North Staffs Football’s James Hale.

Aaron Webster struck late to secure victory for Burton Albion as they knocked out fellow League Two side Oxford United.

Left-back Webster met Scott Malone’s cross to power his header home five minutes from time.

His goal means the Brewers will now face Chesterfield at the Pirelli Stadium, game to be played over the weekend November 27/28.

Albion had the better of the first half, but the U’s defence stood strong, with Steve Kinniburgh clearing off the line from James Collins effort.

Pirelli Stadium

Webster was then introduced in the 70th minute and his header secured the victory.

Oxford had a great opportunity late on but Tom Craddock saw his shot deflected wide.

Burton boss Paul Peschisolido told BBC Sport of his delight at seeing hard work prevail.

He added: “The first half we showed patient build-up and played some great stuff.

“They put bodies behind the ball and we passed it for fun, created opportunities and were unfortunate not to hit the target.

“But I told the guys to keep patient and in the second-half all the hard work would pay off – and it did.”

Albion’s attention now switches back to League Two, and a weekend trip to Chesterfield as both side’s eye each other up ahead of their FA Cup clash in three weeks.

Meanwhile, Port Vale salvaged a late equaliser to earn a replay against non-league minnows Dartford.

Dartford opened the scoring in the 39th minute when Darts’ skipper Elliot Bradbrook slotted home past keeper Stuart Tomlinson.

This appeared to be the winner until the 85th minute when McCombe was on hand to bundle the ball over the line to deny Dartford a famous victory.

It was perhaps a harsh result on the home side who really took it to Micky Adams’s men, but Vale will breath a sigh of relief as the two sides will battle it out again at Vale Park.

The victors will then face a home tie against Accrington Stanley in the second-round of the competition.

For highlights of Vale’s trip to Kent click below: