Burton Albion vs Crewe Alexandra. Sky Bet League Two.
Pirelli StadiumAttendance2,246.
Tuesday 13 September 2011 23:27, UK
Burton marked their 100th Football League appearance with a first-ever win against neighbours Crewe in a 1-0 success.
Justin Richards scored the decisive goal in the 34th minute - his sixth in his last five matches - to extend his purple patch of form. Burton dominated the first half and the surprise was that it took them so long to turn their persistent pressure into a goal. Calvin Zola went close against his former club with a ninth-minute header before setting up a chance that was driven narrowly wide by Richards. Steve Phillips had to make a full-length save to keep out a John McGrath shot, but he was caught out as Burton made breakthrough soon afterwards. The goalkeeper was beaten by Richards in a race for Aaron Webster's pass and the in-form striker calmly threaded a shot past the covering defenders to find the net from 12 yards. It was his eighth goal of the season. Crewe rallied late in the first half but Matt Tootle's shot was blocked by the legs of Burton goalkeeper Ross Atkins. Phillips had to beat out a Zola shot as Albion piled on more pressure in the second half. Zola also saw two efforts go narrowly wide before Tootle's attempt to earn the visitors a late point was foiled by a save from Atkins.
