City travelled to Burton in search of a first victory in front of live TV cameras at the 13th attempt. A late injury to Chris Todd meant one change from the draw with Kidderminster, with Paul Jones in goal, a back four of Billy Jones, Woodards, Edwards and Richardson, a midfield comprising Taylor, Challinor, Buckle and Gill, with Phillips and Stansfield up front. The bench was made up of Rice, Ada, Moxey, Cozic and Mackie.
After City started fairly brightly, the first half-chance fell to Burton, but the shot was skewed well wide. At the other end, Stansfield latched on to a poor back pass to nip in ahead of Kevin Poole, the veteran Burton goalkeeper, but the angle was too acute and the ball drifted harmlessly wide of the net. The early stages were also punctuated by a series of niggly and cynical fouls by Burton players as City tried to carve an opening. To the travelling faithful it appeared that one challenge on Andy Taylor was particularly scything, although the TV cameras backed the Referee's judgement - to be fair the City players also didn't complain.
However, shortly afterwards in the same move Lee Phillips was robbed of possession on the edge of the box, and Burton broke quickly. Rob Edwards committed himself rather easily, leaving Daryl Clare open to put in a killer pass. However, his pass instead ricocheted off the back of Jon Richardson's foot, and the ball broke kindly to Corbett, who finished coolly.
City continued to look for an opening without success, with Burton continuing their tactic of producing cynical fouls whenever their player appeared beaten. The Ref, however, saw fit to only issue one caution for a nasty tackle. Neither keeper was tested further in the first half which was full of bluster and neat passing but little cutting edge.
The second half began farcically in rapidly worsening conditions, as neither side appeared able to get away from the touchline - both conceding sloppy possession. However, once play settled down City showed far more purpose than had been evident for most of the first half. However, chances were still at a premium. Lee Phillips did very well to break into the box, but again the angle was very narrow, and Kevin Poole deflected the ball away off his head - inexplicably the Referee gave a goal kick. At the other end Paul Jones palmed away a stinging shot that appeared to be heading slightly wide, while there was a heart-in-mouth moment as a Burton shot took a massive deflection off Rob Edwards and drifted just wide with Paul Jones stranded.
Paul Tisdale decided to shake things up by making some changes, Jamie Mackie replacing an obviously furious Lee Phillips - who could count himself unlucky as he was getting far more involved than the fading Adam Stansfield - and Moxey and Cozic on for Challinor and Taylor respectively. The introduction of Mackie in particular saw City really raise the tempo, and it was Mackie who should have secured a point for City. As has become a familiar sight this season the youngster waltzed through a series of challenges, but snatched at the shot and it floated just over the bar.
That was to prove the last clear-cut opportunity, and that was it - yet another defeat in front of the cameras. This match was odd in that there was only really one shot on target throughout, yet the play in the middle of the park was very neat and tidy - both sides appeared to be lacking ideas in the final third, and both defences were rarely troubled. Much is made (unfairly) of Refereeing displays these days, but it has to be said the Ref didn't exactly cover himself with glory. He failed to stamp out the cynical fouls by Burton players, while Burton themselves will have been mystified by some of the decisions.
City now have a week off before the visit of Dagenham and Redbridge - this should be the ideal opportunity to work on the training ground on attacking play, as on this display there seemed to be a shortage of ideas.
