Brewers slip up again as a fine first-half effort is not enough

BURTON Albion are having a problem holding on to leads early in the League One season and it happened for a second time in the first four games away to Stockport County.

- By COLSTON CRAWFORD

The Brewers led, deservedly, at halftime, before the home side came back to secure a 2-1 win.

They did so with 10 men, too, after having Brad Hills sent off after half-an-hour.

The Hatters are a strong side and this was always going to be a difficult fixture but the way the Brewers dealt with them in the first half - and then the way they did not in the second - made this defeat another real kick in the teeth and gives Gary Bowyer and his coaching team plenty to think about.

The Burton lineup had a more familiar look to it with captain Udoka Godwin-Malife fit again and others rested for the Carabao Cup tie returning.

But Jasper Moon and Fabio Tavares had to settle for the bench, with Tyrese Shade and Sebastian Revan granted their first League starts.

After impressing against Tranmere, Kamil Dudek and Sulayman Krubally both earned a place on the bench.

Last season's loanee, Owen Dodgson, was named on the left for Stockport, where he is now on loan.

Burton attacked promisingly in the first minute and a ball in from the left from Jack Armer was nudged wide on the stretch by JJ McKiernan.

It could not really be classed as a chance.

In Stockport's first, neat attack, striker Nathan Lowe, under pressure, could only roll the ball to keeper Jordan Amissah. That, too, was barely a chance.

Shade unveiled a long throw, from the left, in the seventh minute and got good distance on it but it was comfortably cleared.

Burton were snapping at Stockport’s heels and Kyran Lofthouse won a free kick on the right after nicking the ball in the eighth minute but Revan’s delivery was cleared.

Ollie Norwood made a strong run forward in the 11th minute but Toby Sibbick blocked his attempted shot, then Lofthouse went down the right and pulled a good low cross back but Jake Beesley’s first-time shot was blocked by Ethan Pye.