Holmes had become a father in the early hours of the morning but still took to the field in the starting line-up. Tom Cowan got a start at left-back. Glenn Murray was again preferred to Magno Vieira and Karl Hawley up front. An early Lumsdon free kick almost brought a goal when it evaded several United players standing just yards out. The Brewers responded with a good bit of control and turn to shoot by Andy Ducros that went wide. A Corbett header flew wide from an Aaron Webster cross as Burton came at United with a certain amount of belief. Chris Hall fired wide of the right post after 10 minutes. United went close two minutes later when Adam Murray collected a Glenn Murray flick and forced Dan Crane to tip round the post. Murphy then had Crane back pedalling with a 20-yarder that he had to push over the bar with some difficulty. A Ducros free kick found Dale Anderson's forehead but the ball flew inches wide. United made the breakthrough on 27 minutes when Cowan intercepted, found Murphy who lobbed forward to Holmes with the big man slipping the ball under Crane to make it 1-0. Glennon made a good parry two minutes later and Corbett following up skied over the bar only for an offside flag to save his blushes. There were few direct chances in the closing stages of the half as the home side strove to get back on level terms. The second period began equally quietly with United happy to sit on their advantage. 12 minutes into the second half Barry Miller replaced Lee Ayers in the Burton defence. Peter Murphy volleyed narrowly over with his favoured left foot after 66 minutes. Immediately after this Magno Vieira replaced Glenn Murray. Glennon then had to make a top save to tip round a deflected Chris Hall shot after being wrong footed. Darren Stride headed over the bar with 18 minutes left on the clock. The home side still looked dangerous when they penetrated the Carlisle half. A Chris Billy error allowed Hall in who brought a foul out of Kevin Gray to earn a free kick just outside the box. Ducros fired well over to waste a fine opportunity. With 10 minutes left Hall headed down and Ducros shot narrowly over as the home team continued to press. Gray made a great saving tackle on Dale Anderson to concede a corner as injury time kicked in. Al's verdict: A battling display rather than a fluent one. With Burton forcing the pace in the closing stages we were hanging on a bit at the end, but after three tough games in a week Simmo and the boys will be delighted to clinch a play-off place. Holmes, who arrived with little reputation for goal scoring has notched up five important goals for us and this was the most important yet. With the table closing up behind us, it was vital to pick up something today and this result proved priceless. Glennon reminded people what a sound keeper he can be with a very important clean sheet, too. |
