Clough joy after the Brewers fight back

BURTON ended a two-month wait for a home league win as they bounced back from conceding an early goal to put Rochdale to the sword, much to the pleasure of manager Nigel Clough.

Callum Camps fired Dale ahead after only two minutes, but the Brewers eventually toasted victory thanks to goals from Ryan Edwards, Lucas Akins (penalty) and Liam Boyce.

“It would be nice not to concede after two minutes again at home for the second consecutive home game” remarked Clough.

“That sets you back, but I thought the way we responded to that, stayed composed, playing our football, I thought the first half was as well as we have played for some time.

“To get back in the game so quickly was vital, but I thought we were so much on top at that time in the first half that I don’t think 2-1 did us justice at half-time.”

Camps capitalised when Rekeil Pyke won an aerial challenge with Richard Nartey, to send keeper Robert Sanchez’s clearance into the path of the Dale skipper, who lashed beyond Kieran O’Hara.

The Brewers hit back after 11 minutes with Edwards firing home after Colin Daniel’s cross fell nicely for him.

And Albion turned the game around seven minutes later when Daniel was felled by Eoghan O’Connell, allowing Akins to smash the resulting penalty high into the net.

Rochdale rallied after the break and twice hit the woodwork, Matty Done clipping the top of the bar and Jimmy Keohane striking the base of a post with a low drive, before Boyce sealed Burton’s win with a low finish into the bottom corner eight minutes from time.

Rochdale boss Brian Barry-Murphy was left to rue his side’s first half showing despite taking an early lead, with their improved second-half showing counting for nothing.

“I thought we were brilliant in the second half and played well for huge periods,” he said.

“We played with real speed and courage, but I was very disappointed with how we played in the first half.

“While the second half was good I don’t think it’s good enough for us to accept that first half and we always want more from our players.”