Albion survive early scare and then produce their best yet

DEPLETED Burton Albion turned in a magnificent performance to beat Bolton Wanderers 3-0 at the Pirelli Stadium, Jake Beesley scoring twice.

- By COLSTON CRAWFORD

This was by some way the best full 90-minute effort the Brewers have managed this season, in a week when the need to do so had been highlighted.

Fine margins were on view, even so, as Bolton missed a glorious chance to take a second-minute lead and the Brewers never looked back, working incredibly hard throughout the game. If they had the rub of the green for once, they earned it, as manager Gary Bowyer pointed out afterwards.

It had looked ominous before the start because it never rains but pours for Albion in terms of injuries and they had George Evans, Tyrese Shade and Sebastian Revan missing a game for which they could again only name six substitutes.

Nick Akoto was added to the squad again and was on the bench.

Former Brewers academy goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe lined up for Bolton, on loan from Chelsea, and another familiar name was former Derby County defender Cyrus Christie but both the starting lineup and the bench bristled with expensive signings.

Bolton looked certain to score in the second minute when a through ball found Sam Dalby ahead of the Brewers defence and he rounded Brad Collins but, with an empty net gaping, Finn Delap got back to make an astonishing block and get the ball out for a corner.

The goal looked such a formality, many defenders would have given it up.

That led to a spell of frantic early pressure from Bolton in front of their own fans which the Brewers came through with a few nervous moments.

Beesley won a free kick on the left in the ninth minute as Burton began to get a foothold in the game.

Charlie Webster's kick was initially headed away before the Brewers stayed on the attack for a minute, Bolton getting the ball away with some difficulty.