TRUSTY KEE’S BIG TURN
Clough: We needed to score a second goal
NIGEL CLOUGH was on to a winner until Billy Kee popped up with a penalty to frustrate his old club.
Kee rattled in 39 goals in 99 games for the Brewers between 2011 to 2014 – and was last season’s leading marksman in League Two with another 25.
So Clough (below) had every reason to fear the worst when Kee stepped up to the spot in the 84th minute,
Both these clubs and their respective managers have come a long way since they faced each other in non-league combat 13 years ago.
Ensconced in what was then the Conference, John Coleman and Clough had yet to discard their football boots and brought themselves on from the bench.
That wasn’t an option yesterday at the Wham Stadium with Father Time having caught up with the pair.
Accrington boss Coleman enjoyed the reunion more than Clough thanks to Kee.
Until the introduction of substitutes Connor Hall and Offrande Zanzala, Burton appeared to be coasting towards victory.
But the injection of pace to assist the experienced Kee inspired the home side and they were rewarded when the striker blasted home his spot-kick after Zanzala had been bundled over by Kyle Mcfadzean.
Coleman said: “I think every game we’ve played this season we’ve finished the stronger. We’ve just got to be more clinical.
“But it’s six games unbeaten so we’re doing something right.”
While Accrington have hit the heights with promotion to League One for the first time in their humble history, Burton can’t wait to get out of it after experiencing the financial rewards of the Championship.
So this was a dagger blow to the Brewers who failed to build on an 11th-minute goal from Scott Fraser after Connor Ripley pushed out an attempt from the lively Marvin Sordell.
Clough said: “We were in control for most of the game. The disappointment was not going on and getting a second goal which we deserved.”
Burton could even have lost it with Hall hitting a post while stand-in keeper Harry Campbell, who replaced injured Bradley Collins at half-time, made a superb reflex save from Zanzala’s point-blank header.
A big blow was a paltry crowd of less than 2,000, with regulars taking advantage of the EFL’S controversial decision to allow the live streaming of its games during international weekends.
Coleman said: “The football we are playing deserves better attendances.
“What we are serving up is well worth the money compared to the Premier League.”