Clough hails his Burton battlers’ point

Burton Albion boss Nigel Clough insisted his resolute side were great value for their fifth point in six away games, in last night’s 1-1 Championship draw at Brentford.

Florian Jozefzoon gave the hosts the lead with a superb free-kick, but Ben Turner ghosted in at the far post to head the Brewers’ leveller.

Clough, whose third-bottom men next host bottom club Sunderland on Saturday, said: “We deserved it, not on possession obviously, but then the game’s not decided on possession.

“We created some reasonable opportunities throughout and we deserved the equaliser. With a bit more quality we could have got the winner.”

He defended his side’s ‘park the bus’ approach, adding: “We are not going to come here and go toe-to-toe with Brentford, so I was delighted with how we executed the game plan to frustrate them.”

Clough is baffled by his side’s resilient away form, especially as they were stronger at home last season: “Away, we have defended much better and made fewer mistakes than earlier in the season.

“It’s strange how its turned around this season. I’ve no idea why. It’s not as if we change much about the way we play. Maybe it’s just that the pressure is off away from home.”

Bolton blew a 2-0 lead at home to Reading, in the final 14 minutes, to stay second-bottom. Boss Phil Parkinson said: “We were disciplined in our play and we were coping well.

“Unfortunately, their first goal gave them a huge lift in energy and they went on to get the second.

“Giving the penalty away was that moment of lack of concentration which cost us. But, having said that, we could have nicked it at the end.”