First league goals of the season from Aaron Collins and Randell Williams in a quick-fire second-half double propelled Wanderers to a fourth win in five games to continue their climb into the top half of the League One table, writes Pete Oliver.
The pair struck within a decisive three-minute spell to end Burton’s resistance, despite a rapid response from the Brewers to make it slightly harder than it should have been for Ian Evatt’s men.
Wanderers could and should have won by more from a largely dominant afternoon and spared themselves any potential late anxiety.
But with the manager beginning his three-match touchline ban with a victory, this was the ideal start to another big run of games which continues at table-topping Birmingham City next Tuesday night.
With injuries continuing to bite, there were changes in position and personnel for the Whites as they looked to extend their unbeaten run.
The end of George Thomason’s ever-present record and Eoin Toal’s enforced absence meant another change of captain as George Johnston took over the armband as Evatt took his place on the television gantry to watch proceedings.
Johnston delivered the first thrust with a typical forward run which almost opened the door for John McAtee, who filled Thomason’s midfield berth, and it was all Wanderers in a dominant start.
Williams, operating at right wing-back as Josh Dacres-Cogley plugged a central defensive gap, also saw a shot blocked on the edge of penalty area.
And that summed up the opening exchanges as Wanderers pressed for the opening goal and Burton, yet to win in the league, threw yellow shirts in the way.
Invariably it was the giant figure of Ryan Sweeney blocking the route to goal as Collins was denied by the big defender and keeper Harry Isted as Szabi Schön opened the way out wide.
Kyle Dempsey also carried an almost constant threat as the Whites strove for the breakthrough, although the in-form midfield man was badly off target with one effort he skied over the top with 20 minutes gone.
It was reminiscent of many of Wanderers’ home performances as they tried to turn domination into goals without giving the visitors any hope and while Burton had barely been anywhere near the Whites’ penalty area, they almost nicked the lead after half an hour.
A deep cross saw Tomas Kalinauskas head goalwards where Mason Bennett was unable to turn the ball over the line from a position stood beside the post.
The Brewers knew they weren’t out of the game and following a double change at the break had another opening Danilo Orsi was unable to take.
But it was still Wanderers asking most of the questions and after Dion Charles had headed over the top Josh Sheehan forced Isted into a full-length save to keep out his curling effort.
The Wanderers’ fans responded by getting right behind their team and with just over an hour gone they were rewarded with the breakthrough and the first of two goals in three minutes to seemingly set Wanderers on their to victory.
Williams was the key to both with his quick thinking and long throw releasing Collins to race through, beat Isted to the ball and then coolly deliver the finish to open his league account.
And moments later Williams did likewise when Dempsey released the wideman with a lovely pass which Williams took in his stride before calmly slotting the ball past Isted on his first league start of an injury-hit opening few months of the campaign.
That should have been that but within moments Wanderers had seen their lead halved by some poor defending which allowed Orsi to force the ball home at the far post.
Substitute Victor Adeboyejo, on against his former club, had a chance to restore the two-goal advantage but, not for the first time, Sweeney got in the way. And even though the Whites then failed to make the most of chances to finally kill off the game on the break, they had done enough to secure a vitally important second home league win to keep their momentum going and to move within a point of the top six.
Wanderers: Southwood; Dacres-Cogley, Almeida Santos, Johnston; Sheehan; Williams, Dempsey (Matete 70), McAtee (Arfield 70), Schön; Charles (Adeboyejo 65), Collins. Substitutes: Hutchinson, Forrester, Lolos, Inwood.
Booked: Johnston
Burton Albion: Isted; Bannon, Sweeney, Sraha (Armer 77); Kalinauskas, Watt, Williams (Akoto HT); Gilligan (Cooper-Love HT), Chauke, Bennett (Whitehead 65); Orsi (Webster 77). Substitutes: Crocombe, Bran.
Booked: Bennett, Whitehead
Referee: Martin Coy
Attendance: 19,540 (249 away)
Main image: Jack Horrocks