Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough has labelled his side’s victory over Shrewsbury Town as ‘brilliant’.
The Brewers were 2-1 winners in difficult conditions at the Pirelli Stadium with a swirling wind and heavy rain testing the defences of both sides.
Visiting keeper Steve Arnold gifted Liam Boyce a third-minute goal before Scott Fraser’s precise finish extended Burton Albion’s lead in the second half. Fejiri Okenabirhie pulled a goal back for Shrewsbury Town at the death but The Brewers hung on to collect three points for the first time in three matches.
Speaking to The72 after the match, Burton Albion boss Clough admitted that he was thrilled to earn three points.
“In the circumstances, given the conditions, it was a brilliant three points today” Clough said. “I don’t think we played anywhere near as well as we did against Charlton or in some of the games which we have lost this season.
“We showed a different set of qualities today in the second half.
“You saw when the ball went up into the air it was swirling around and it was holding up one minute and running on the next.
“It’s difficult for players at any level to play in those conditions. Despite that, I thought in the first half we got it down and played a few times and in the second half we were under a bit of pressure and we showed our battling qualities.”
The persistence of striker Boyce forced an error from Shrewsbury Town keeper Arnold early on and Clough said that he was pleased with his side’s quick start.
He added “When you get a start like that after a few minutes it gives everybody a lift.
“From the minute that the ball was going back he chased the goalkeeper down and I would say that this was the second bit of luck which we have had in six months.
“The second goal was a brilliant finish off the far post.”
Goalscorer Boyce was a constant thorn in Shrewsbury Town’s side and Clough was delighted with the player’s work over the course of the 90 minutes.
“He battled all game” said The Brewers boss. “I made the decision to put him back up top which meant that I left Devante Cole out.
“He held the ball up for us and won headers, he’s not quite back to 100% but he is getting there and he got kicked from pillar to post today.”
The victory has moved Burton Albion up to 14th position in the Sky Bet League One table, seven points behind the play-off spots.
