Burton Albion secure their League One status with a game to spare, relegating Bristol Rovers and Crawley Town, despite conceding a last-minute equaliser against Wigan Athletic.
Rumarn Burrell looked to have given the Brewers all three points when he put the hosts ahead early in the second period. But with virtually the last kick of the game, substitute Ronan Darcy’s cross evaded everyone and went all the way in, earning Ryan Lowe’s side a point on the road.
Great Escape III
When Gary Bowyer took over at the Brewers in December, they had taken just twelve points from their opening nineteen games. Burton were the last side in the EFL to record a league victory this term, then were embarrassed by local Non-League rivals Tamworth in the FA Cup almost a month later. Following an eight-week wait to appoint a new permanent manager, Bowyer was finally appointed. After losing his first two in charge, they embarked on a run of one loss in nine.
Even so, by the time the reverse encounter at the DW Stadium came about, Burton were bottom of the division and eleven points adrift of safety. But three successive victories gave the East Staffordshire outfit their first glimpse of another great escape. They had previously been in this position in 2021 and 2023, completing a hat-trick of miraculous recoveries to hang onto their League One status once again.
Chances Few & Far Between
Despite the eventual outcome, the opening period will not live long in the memory. Jón Daði Böðvarsson nodded wide in the third minute, which was the best effort either side could produce in a lacklustre first 45 minutes. Dale Taylor twice missed opportunities to get the away side on the scoresheet, skewing an effort before forcing Max Crocombe to make an excellent stop at his near post.
Earlier in the half, Burrell had given the home side the lead, pouncing on Sam Tickle’s parry to fire back across goal. But the Latics goalkeeper, recently named in the League One TOTS, had produced an excellent stop to deny Mason Bennett’s initial effort. In the final quarter of an hour, Tickle was again required to stop Burrell netting for the second time, producing a strong left-handed stop.
Draw Specialists Strike Again
No side in the third tier have drawn more games than the sixteen achieved by Ryan Lowe’s side. While the recently appointed manager cannot be accountable for what preceded him, they have now drawn five of their last seven. It took a very late goal to stretch their unbeaten run to seven ahead of a final-day clash at Northampton Town.
Writer’s View
Burton Albion have once again proved that you cannot count them out in a League One relegation battle. Commiserations must go to Crawley Town and Scott Lindsey, with the returning gaffer winning four of his eight games in charge. But Gary Bowyer and the Brewers just had the edge, capitalising on Bristol Rovers’ eight losses in nine to send the Gas down to the fourth tier.
