Nigel Clough relieved to see Burton take narrow victory over Doncaster - 7M sport

Nigel Clough relieved to see Burton take narrow victory over Doncaster



Posted Sunday, August 19, 2018 by PA

Nigel Clough relieved to see Burton take narrow victory over Doncaster

Relieved Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough was pleased to see Liam Boyce grab his third goal as many Sky Bet League One games to secure a precious 1-0 victory over previously unbeaten Doncaster at the Pirelli Stadium.

Clough admitted his side had face a tough workout against a determined side.

“It was an unbelievably tough game,” said Clough said after seeing Boyce score just two minutes into the second.

Clough had to watch Rovers pile on the pressure in search of an equaliser.

He said: “I think we had a little bit of good fortune out there at times. They missed two or three good chances and that was the difference from the Rochdale game on the opening day. Rochdale scored theirs and Doncaster missed their chances.

“I think you saw today though why they [Doncaster] have won their opening three games. They looked confident with good players and we had to do everything just to hang in there at times today.

“We played well, particularly in the first half until Joe Sbarra had to go off. He was getting on the ball and making things happen and we like the look of our young midfield three with him, Foxy and Scott Fraser all linking up well.

“We were close in the first half but we got a brilliant goal just after half time and just about managed to hang on to it.

Boyce is on a rich vein of scoring form and Clough was quick to praise his record signing.

He said: “Liam gets goals and he is a team player as well. We want to make sure that he keeps getting goals. We love his team play but his main job is to score goals and he is doing that for us at the moment.”

Rovers boss Grant McCann admitted his side were not good enough to take the points.

He said: “We were disappointing. I won’t hide behind anything. It’s been a decent start with three wins from the first four games and this will be a big test of character for the next three games. We want to respond in the right fashion.

“I think Burton deserved to win the game. We weren’t good enough today, simple as that.

“We looked lethargic and low on energy and we didn’t move the ball as quickly as we can. We knew Burton, with their experience, would sit deep so you have to move the ball quickly and with a purpose, which we didn’t do today.”

John Marquis missed Rovers’ two best chances in the first half, seeing a header cleared off the line by Kyle McFadzean before wastefully firing wide with the goal at his mercy.

“John will tell you he should have scored today, ” said a frustrated McCann.

“But I’m scratching my head to remember many chances for us today. That’s how disappointed I am in our performance.”

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