Burton Albion 0 Torquay United 2
Normal service was resumed at Burton Albion as the Gulls secured the points with two first half goals which gave United their first Football League away win since a 1-0 victory at Bury in September 2006!
Goals from Scott Rendell and Elliot Benyon were enough as a much improved performance by Paul Buckle's team lifted them to sixth place in the embryonic League 2 table.
Tim Sills dropped to the bench with Elliot Benyon replacing him to partner Scott Rendell up front and Lee Mansell & Ben Joyce took the places on the bench of loan duo Mark Ellis and Steve Adams who joined Forest Green Rovers for a month on Tuesday morning.
United started brightly and Elliot Benyon had two early sights at goal but Krysiak saved well in the Burton goal and the Gull's striker slotted wide with the second attempt shortly after.
In the early stages the home side were reduced to long range shooting which certainly wasn't going to trouble the in-form Scott Bevan. United were looking far brighter than they did at Dagenham on Saturday and both Danny Stevens and Wayne Carlisle were finding themselves with far more space and possession in this match.
Scott Rendell has a very good goal scoring record and he showed why in the 27th minute, finishing off a fine move from United. Wayne Carlisle combined well with Nicky Wroe and Elliot Benyon before receiving the ball back and slipping the ball inside to Rendell who turned neatly and shot low, left footed, giving Krysiak no chance.
Goal: Burton 0 United 1 (Rendell 27)
United had been the better side up to this point and over the last two seasons you can count on the fingers of one hand the times that Torquay have lost after taking a lead. Tonight they were not in the mood to be profligate against a side that had scored five at home three days previous.
As the first half wore on United still looked the better side and seven minutes before the break the lead was doubled. A corner from the right was whipped in by Kevin Nicholson but was cleared back toward the Gull's left back; a second invitation to centre the ball was gratefully received by Nico and this time he flashed the ball low back in to the Burton six yard box and Krysiak could do no more than get a hand to the ball. That decision proved fatal as Elliot Benyon, ever the poacher, tapped the ball home from two yards and cement United's good foundations in this game.
Goal: Burton 0 United 2 (Benyon 38)
Kieran Charnock was again putting himself about in a very positive manner and the United defence was being backed up by their towering goalkeeper who pulled off a superb save moments before the break to deny a Pearson volley. The 'Bevanator' has been on top of his game this season and put in another solid performance.
Half-Time: Burton 0 United 2
The home side were out early for the second half and their supporters were expecting an aggressive response to their predicament. Unfortunately for them this was a United team in no mood to concede an inch of ground. Admittedly, United gave the ball away a little more than they would have liked at times but Burton were only allowed to play in front of their visitors and on no account were United going to let anyone get in behind them.
Bevan was at his best again when Burton did get a sight at goal and Pearson will be glad to see the back of the Gull's 'keeper after he denied him for a second time with another smart stop.
The one advantage of Tim Sills not starting a match is that you have the top scorer for the last two seasons itching to get on the field of play and a ready made sub for a tired pair of legs. Eleven minutes from time Sills was sent on to replace Rendell who had worked extremely hard throughout.
Sub: Sills for Rendell (79)
Moments later and Lee Mansell made a return to action after Wayne Carlisle looked to have picked up an injury and he slotted in to right midfield. Nicky Wroe had a couple of late sights at the Burton goal but Krysiak held on to both attempts without incident.
Sub: Mansell for Carlisle (81)
Sub: Hodges for Stevens (89)
During the second half Burton had plenty of possession but this had been a very professional job by the Gulls. An aggressive, positive first forty-five minutes with two goals was complimented by a solid, organised second period. A 'back to basics' approach after a couple of days of hard words, hard work and soul searching have evidently heightened the senses.
Full-Time: Burton 0 United 2
