Burton steal the spotlight
SIR PATRICK STEWART watched on as Huddersfield’s promotion fantasy turned into a horror show.
The film star jetted in to watch his beloved Terriers keep the heat on the top two as they started the day within touching distance of the automatic promotion spots.
Instead they fluffed their lines as Jackson Irvine scored a late winner for lowly Burton and skipper Dean Whitehead got his marching orders following some ugly scenes in the final minutes.
The defeat comes on the back of their shock 4-0 thumping at relegation-threatened Bristol City before the international break.
But Huddersfield boss David Wagner insists finishing in the play-off places would be the stuff of Hollywood for the fans.
“We we are still in a great position,” he said. “Everybody knows where we come from.
“If you asked any Huddersfield supporter before the season if they would be happy with eight games to go, to have 71 points and be third in the table I think they all would have taken it.”
His all-action side were in control of the game from the start, but were unable to turn their chances into goals.
Even the introduction of his two top scorers, Elias Kachunga and Nakhi Wells, 10 minutes into the second half could not break open a stubborn and, at times, fortunate Burton defence.
Wagner was given a preview of the dramatic finish just after the break when Marvin Sordell produced a weak shot after working himself a rare sight at goal.
The frustration told as Whitehead was sent off after both sets of players squared up towards the end – the skipper being shown the red card after receiving his second yellow.
And the game had a final twist when Sordell launched a blistering counterattack before squaring the ball to Aussie Irvine to bag his first goal for the club deep into six minutes of stoppage time when two against one with the Huddersfield goalkeeper.
Burton boss Nigel Clough said: “Marvin did very well for the goal because most players don’t have the presence of mind to square the ball to another player.
“It was Jackson’s first goal. He has had quite a week having been in Tehran for a game and then to Sydney and back.” Possession Shots On Target Shots Off Target Blocked Shots Corners Fouls Conceded Offsides Yellow Cards Red Cards 70% 30% 5 4 5 3 8 3 9 4 12 13 2 0 1 6 1 0