Burton planning a great escape

BURTON’S dream is still alive. A third season of Championship football remains possible, plausible even, after a hugely significant and richly earned win over Bolton.

Nigel Clough cannot achieve the kind of miracle his father realised, but survival again would be something wondrous all the same.

After relegating Sunderland with a dramatic victory last weekend this latest result pushed another big team towards the trapdoor.

Bolton are now in 23rd and the goodwill Phil Parkinson stocked up by gaining promotion last term appears to have evaporated. Wanderers fans tried to get at their manager after Burton went 2-0 up and repeatedly called for his head.

There are still five clubs in danger on the final day, with Burton going to Preston hopeful a fourth successive win will keep them up. Barnsley’s victory over Brentford means Burton stay in the relegation zone.

‘It might be too late, we don’t know,’ said Clough. ‘You only have to be out of it on the last day. The lads have got great spirit. They are up for it.’

Clough’s side set about their task with purpose and took the lead in the 28th minute. Liam Boyce held up play superbly and laid back the ball so Hope Akpan could sweep in a pinpoint finish, his first goal for Burton.

Their second came as Bolton committed a comedy of errors at a corner. Akpan scuffed a shot and Lucas Akins diverted over the line.

Bolton supporters reacted with fury and stewards had to restrain more than a dozen before police arrived.

Bolton now host Nottingham Forest simply desperate for a result.

Parkinson said: ‘I can understand the fans. They pay good money. It hurt me to see us go down with a wimper today.’