Why Marcus had earned Shrews chance

NIGEL Clough says Marcus Harness “deserved his chance” for another cameo off the bench in Burton Albion’s win over Shrewsbury Town, after impressing in previous appearances.

Harness replaced Jake Hesketh on the right wing for the final 20 minutes of Saturday’s 2-1 victory and he had a hand in Scott Fraser’s crucial goal to make it 2-0, firing in a low cross that was eventually worked back for Fraser to finish.

It was Harness’ fourth successive introduction off the bench and his seventh in the League so far.

While the Albion academy graduate is yet to start a League One game in 2018-19, Clough has been impressed by his impact in recent weeks.

“Very much so, that’s why he got on,” said the Burton manager.

“We’ve got Devante Cole we could’ve put there, we could put Joe Sbarra out there but we felt Marcus deserved his chance because he has done well when he has come on.

“I thought our two wide men, Jake Hesketh and Will Miller, got into some great positions in the first half and we didn’t get anything from them, enough quality crosses and things like that.

“That’s our strength, especially against Shrewsbury’s formation.

“We were a bit disappointed by that and, ultimately, that’s why they both came off – but the lads who replaced them did well.”