Rowett’s Brewers can’t stop winning
CUP giantkillers Burton maintained their unbeaten start to the season to go top of League Two, leaving Brewers boss Gary Rowett beaming.
Midfielder Robbie Weir was given his marching orders five minutes from time after going head to head with Mansfield’s Jamie Maguire following an off-the-ball incident.
But Burton, who toppled Premier League QPR in midweek to add to the Capital One Cup scalp of Championship Wigan Athletic in round one, hung on in seven minutes of injury time to claim the points thanks to goals from Alex MacDonald and Callum McFadzean.
Brewers boss Rowett said:“We have had seven games in 21 days, including against a Premier League team and a Championship team, and we have six wins and a draw. I have got to be immensely proud of the start we have made, but it is just a start. That is all it is and we won’t get carried away.
“We were perhaps fortunate to get the first goal, but our second goal was excellent and we hit the bar and had one or two other opportunities as well.We thoroughly deserved the three points.”
On Weir’s red card, the manager added: “It was a difficult game to referee but by letting one or two things go and not dealing with them it just spiralled into an absolute scrap and a fight.
“Until I have seen the video it is difficult to comment but all the players around him said Weir has not done anything.
“They said he was stamped on and as he got up the two players put their heads together. Robbie said he did not headbutt Maguire, which is what the referee says.
“There were several worse tackles that went unpunished, which was unjust. I am not here to criticise officials, but he made it difficult to manage afterwards.”
Disappointed Mansfield manager Paul Cox said:“The boys are a bit puzzled. It is the most frustrated they have been all season. Apart from the two goals Dimitar Evtimov didn’t have a save to make.
“We have got to be a little bit better in both boxes. We have got to be more resolute at the back and put our chances away.”
Burton’s growing confidence was rewarded three minutes before halftime. MacDonald let fly from 20 yards and his shot took two deflections to wrong-foot Evtimov.
Burton weathered the Mansfield storm and doubled their lead in the 71st minute through McFadzean.
Four minutes later the Stags were handed a lifeline when Matt Rhead’s aerial dominance finally paid off.
But Burton, despite Weir’s red card, finished on top.