Brayford: We did what we needed to do
CAPTAIN John Brayford said Burton Albion did what was needed to secure an important point from their goalless draw away to Accrington Stanley.
Brayford moved from right-back to centre-half for the game, with Michael Bostwick’s groin injury having flared up again.
“It’s always been a difficult place to come, with everything from the changing rooms to the pitch, and you have to have the right mentality,” said Brayford.
“We did well to keep a clean sheet in a scrappy game.
“We had a couple of chances and so did they, in the last couple of minutes. A draw was a fair result and we’re happy to take a point.
“I think the way we defended for the majority of the game, we did ourselves justice.
“It wasn’t a pretty spectacle by any means but we did what needed to be done in the circumstances and it’s another point on the board.”
The draw extended Burton’s unbeaten away record under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to eight games, six of which have been won.
“It’s hell of a good record and it says a lot about our mentality away from home,” said Brayford.
“You can’t always play pretty football, it’s about playing in the right areas and at the right times, when you can do. That was typified by the game.”
The captain said he was comfortable with his own role but that all of the squad’s defenders were capable of such versatility.
“I think I played alongside Hayden (Carter) in one other game, against Hull, and it was just a case of slotting in and doing a job when Michael Bostwick wasn’t fit,” he said.
“I really enjoyed being back in there and Josh Earl came back in at left-back and defended as if his life depended on it.
“We know the basics of defending as a group, as we practice them day in day out with the gaffer and Dino, so we can slot into any position if needed.”
Brayford feels the draw would be especially useful if Burton can follow it with a win at home to drop zone rivals Swindon Town today.
“It’s a massive platform. If we can come off the back of a clean sheet and a point and win at home, four points from the Easter weekend would be a good job done,” he said.
“Swindon are going to play like their lives depend on it and we have to do the same.”