TOWN ........... 1 Town’s late winner

thwart Ward before Damien McCrory shot over from distance.

Wagner had warned Burton would provide a big test, and Town’s defence was certainly the busier over the first half hour.

Jackson Irvine’s foul on Elias Kachunga brought Town a free-kick, but Wells lofted an ambitious attempt wide.

Billing was taking every opportunity to utilise his long throw, but the home side were also defending solidly.

Burton keeper Jon McLaughlin had a nervous moment when he slipped under pressure from Wells, but Burton survived.

Michael Hefele got his head to Palmer’s free-kick delivery, then Town cleared an awkward corner by the same player.

Then Ward scythed his way into the Town area, but curled his shot

Ward bent a free-kick over after Hefele’s pull on Chris O’Grady early in the second half.

Then Burton had McCrory to thank for clearing Kachunga’s hooked volley off the line.

Cranie crucially tackled Lloyd Dyer as he shaped to shoot, then Wagner made a double change after 56 minutes.

Van La Parra and Palmer came on, with Bunn and BIlling making way.

Town’s Palmer was soon booked for a foul on Burton’s Palmer!

Holmes-Dennis and Akins had shots saved and blocked respectively in the 66th minute as play opened up and began to swing from end to end as both sides chased a winner.

Then Holmes-Dennis was replaced by Lowe in Town’s final change after 70 minutes.

Hefele was yellow carded for a foul on Jackson Irvine before the late drama of Wells’ winner.

Kachunga looked set to double the lead but was beaten by John Brayford’s well-timed tackle inside the area.

Cranie became the third Town man booked late on.