United blew a bright start to slip to a second home defeat in a week as Burton took them to the cleaners. Two Goals from Keith Gilroy and one from Daryl Clare gave the promotion chasing Brewers their first ever win over The U's who had James Clarke sent off in the second half to add insult to injury.
There was an initial change of shape as United went to 4-3-3 from the start, with the recalled Phil Trainer in midfield and Yemi Odubade up front alongside Craig McAllister and Matt Green. Strange as it might sound from the scoreline United were bright at the beginning and dominating the possession. They almost found a way through when a Jamie Hand cross on 14 minutes was headed over the bar by McAllister from twelve yards. A Hand shot thirty seconds later and some fine skills from Trainer, lifting the ball over two defenders then driving his shot across goal, confirmed the early dominance and then United almost broke the deadlock on 17 as Howard's free kick from the edge of the box was headed onto the bar by skipper Barry Quinn.
We may well have written this before this season, but when you're on top you need to score goals. Having created chances once again but not converted them The U's were made to pay on 20 minutes as Burton took the lead with a soft goal. John McGrath's corner was standard fare but United treated it like a suspect device and let it drop right on the head of the predatory Daryl Clare three yards from goal. Clare could hardly miss, but quite where the defence were is a mystery.
United almost hit back when McAllister had a shot squirt under keeper Deeney but the goal had livened up the visitors and it took a fine save from Turley on 25 minutes to push a Gilroy volley onto the post.
United needed to kick on again but two minutes later gifted the Brewers a second goal which killed the game stone dead. Clare's skills produced a stabbed low cross which Barry Quinn swung at and missed. He recovered and tried to make amends but only succeeded in prodding the ball across the penalty area for the unmarked Gilroy to smash left footed into the empty net.
That knocked the stuffing out of the men in yellow and for the next fifteen minutes they were woeful, with passes going astray and Burton first to the ball everywhere on the pitch.
Half time was a relief for the fans but must have been painful for the players after a few home truths and United did come out with a little bit more conviction. Trainer drove a shot across goal on 47 and once again most of the play was in the Burton half but chances were very elusive. A double change on 55 minutes saw Danny Rose and Justin Richards add fresh legs, and ten minutes later Michael Blackwood was given the final quarter of the game to try and help The U's find some sort of rhythm. They didn't, and things went from the sublime to the ridiculous on 70 minutes as they went down to ten men.
Having been booked in the first half for a foul on the excellent Gilroy James Clarke was always walking a tightrope and when the winger skipped past him on the left Clarke tugged his shirt to stop him getting into the area. It was a clear foul and ref Waugh showed a second yellow to Clarke to cap a miserable afternoon all round. We'd love to do a 'Waugh. What is it good for?' gag, but he got that one right.
Burton were very professional and United were unable to make inroads. On 84 minutes there was a certain inevitability as Danny Holmes got to the by line on the right and squared a simple ball for Gilroy to crash home from six yards to seal a great win for Nigel Clough's side and show once again why the visiting team are up at the top of the table and United are floundering.
Recent weeks have seen genuine progress, this game has no such claims.
Report: Chris Williams. Pics Steve Daniels
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Att:4,392
Away:201
