Stockport boss Dave Challinor demanded his side improve during the end-of-season run-in after admitting their “sloppiness” almost cost them in their 2-1 win over struggling Burton.
Kyle Wootton and Tanto Olaofe put the Hatters two goals to the good at Edgeley Park, but Julian Larsson pulled one back late on before Ethan Pye’s sending-off meant Stockport had to endure a tense finish.
It was a sixth home game without defeat, but one that left Challinor less than impressed.
Challinor, whose side are bidding for back-to-back promotions, said: “We weren’t at the races.
“I don’t want to take anything away from Burton, because we knew it would be tougher than the reverse fixture.
“We need to be better. It was a good start, but we lost our way through ill-discipline and poor defending.
“We were ultimately frustrated and almost undone by our own sloppiness.
“I’ve said it before, the jeopardy increases at this time of the season. There’s always nervousness and you saw that today.
“I wasn’t aware Ethan was on a yellow. We allow the lad to drive at goal, we defend poorly and we feel that we have to make
that foul.
“The consequence of our ill-discipline is that we now now lose who has been our best player this season for Tuesday.
“It’s a crucial three points for us. I’m not taking away from that, but we need to be better and improve.”
Burton boss Gary Bowyer was proud of his players’ resolve.
He said: “We’ve had a tough week with a couple of injuries which disrupted plans.
“I have to give the players an enormous amount of credit for what they took on board and how they’ve gone about it.
“We’ve come to a team that’s in the play-offs, who have spent a huge amount of money, and we’ve had a right good go.
“It shows you the difference between the two squads. They’re bringing on Nick Powell who cost £7million and
we’re talking about lads scoring their first ever league goal.
“Their goalie’s been the busier. We were really good and we got caught on the counter when we’re chasing it.
“The lads kept on going. I thought the spirit and togetherness was excellent.
“I’m pleased with the backing we had again today. It was unbelievable.
“The majority of them stayed and clapped the players because they saw the effort that was put in.”
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