WANDERERS (4-2-3-1).

JOEL DIXON…7.

Burton fired in little to trouble Dixon’s goal but the Bolton keeper was alert throughout and is becoming an important passing link as they build from the back.

GETHIN JONES…7.

Involved consistently on the right and his deliveries got better as the game wore on. Went really close with a stinging shot from the edge of the box too.

RICARDO SANTOS…7.5.

Looked back to his confident best, physically dominating Hemmings and Akins when they got anywhere near the Bolton goal. Save for one second-half slip, it was super stuff.

GEORGE JOHNSON…7.

Easy night, defensively, and saw a lot of the ball as Wanderers played out from the back, playing more passes on the night as the entire Burton back four.

LIAM GORDON…8.

Stepped in for Declan John and showed yet again that his game has come on leaps and bounds since last season. Linked up well with Afolayan.

MJ WILLIAMS…7.5.

Picked off the sparse Burton attacks and proved economic in possession. Never looks panicked on the ball and always looked to progress forward.

KIERAN LEE…8.

A triumphant return to the side, which should have seen him break his scoring duck. Lee was everywhere on the night and I can’t remember him mis-placing a pass.

ANTONI SARCEVIC…7

Non-stop effort from the skipper, who could have had a couple of goals on a different evening. Some classy touches for the cameras too!

LLOYD ISGROVE…7.

Picked Lee out with a fine pass for the ‘goal’ and worked well with Jones all night. Looked to be enjoying himself out there.

EOIN DOYLE…7.

Will be disappointed that he get the opening goal after running through on Afolayan’s pass. Burton were wary of his threat, though, and his running created so much space for others.

DAPO AFOLAYAN…8.5.

Promised a big performance for the cameras and delivered. Burton tried to kick him up in the air – but this is a young man who is brimming with confidence and he was not to be denied.

Subs: Kachunga72 (for Doyle) – Inches away from a winner.

Delfouneso 87 (for Afolayan) – Tried to grab something late on.

Not used: Gilks, Tutte, Brockbank, Thomason, Baptiste.

Burton Albion: Garratt; Brayford, Shaughnessy, Bostwick, Hamer; Lakin, Borthwick-Jackson; Powell, Akins, Smith; Hemmings.

Subs: Morris 65 (for Powell), Chapman 65 (for Hemmings), Blake-Tracy 87 (for Smith) Not used: Balcombe, Patrick, Amadi-Holloway, Taylor.

Referee: Joshua Smith – 3/10.

Seemed to have a good vantage point for the disallowed goal but deferred to his linesman, then had the perfect view of the late push and somehow missed it.

There were no complaints in the Burton camp about Brayford’s red card – and it was just about the only big call that Smith got right all night.