Soccer
Gary Bowyer pleased with Burton’s response in draw against Cambridge
Burton head coach Gary Bowyer was pleased with his side’s response as skipper Curtis Tilt grabbed a controversial late equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Cambridge.
Bowyer’s side led through Finn Delap only for a Gassan Ahadme double to turn the game on its head before Tilt’s last-minute equaliser.
“I think it is a fantastic point for us. I really do,” said Bowyer.
“Cambridge are a very good team with momentum from getting promoted and from a wonderful win at Bradford. They played Tuesday and we played Wednesday and we knew that would play a part in terms of energy levels.”
Albion began where they left off against AFC Wimbledon, with Delap scoring for the second time in a week, pleasing Bowyer, but with defensive frailties almost costing his side dear.
“We started the game brightly and scored a great goal. The movement is something we have worked on. The calmness from Finn Delap and the maturity to pass the rebound in rather than smash it was very impressive,” Bowyer continued.
“It was annoying to only be level at half-time. And then second half some of our defending was not at the level it has been and we concede a poor second goal.”
Bowyer praised his players’ determination late on when behind with Tilt showing a never-say-die attitude to bundle home despite strong protestations from Cambridge of handball.
“The spirit and fight we showed was very pleasing. Tilty has won the free-kick in the first place and then got on the end of a wonderful delivery from Charlie Webster. That’s two games running the captain has scored. I need to think about who to make captain next week!”
Cambridge boss Neil Harris was shown a red card in the aftermath of Albion’s late equaliser, and it was left to assistant Adam Barrett to reflect on a disappointing end to the game for United.
“It’s very frustrating,” Barrett said. “To be leading with a couple of minutes to go. I thought we were naïve in the first place to give the free-kick away.
“It was a handball. That makes it more frustrating and we’ve seen it. The player pushes it into the net. But even so I expect us to defend it better and not let them get into a position to get away with it. At 2-1 up with a couple of minutes to go I expect us to see that out.”
Former Burton striker Ahadme came back to haunt his old side with the Cambridge goals and Barrett was pleased to see the frontman up and running for the season.
“I thought it was the first moment of real quality in the game from us. Great ball in from Mox [Owen Moxon] and if you do that then Gass is going to score goals. Second one he has put himself in the area to tap it in. Delighted that he is up and running for us.”
