Coleman urges Accrington players to concentrate on keeping clean sheets

Posted Sunday, September 09, 2018 by PA

John Coleman has urged his Accrington players to concentrate on clean sheets after having to come from behind for the fifth game in a row to draw 1-1 with Burton.

The Reds went into the game searching for their first Sky bet League One win of the season.

Burton, meanwhile, were bidding for their first points on the road and for long periods they looked like being successful following Scott Fraser’s 11th minute goal.

But Accrington once more demonstrated their powers of recovery as Billy Kee converted an 84th minute penalty, following a foul on substitute Offrande Zanzala, to stretch their unbeaten run to six games.

“It’s deja vu isn’t it,” said manager Coleman.

“Again we’ve missed good chances today, could have been two up before they scored. They are a decent side and they passed the ball well and when they scored they got their tails up. They created a few more chances but didn’t really trouble our keeper much.

“But we’ve got to start winning at home if we’re going to have that much domination and going to make that many chances. I think every game we’ve played this season we’ve finished the stronger of the two teams, so it shows that we’re doing things right.

“We’ve just got to be a bit more clinical in front of goal and we’ve got to strive to get this clean sheet because that’s what is ultimately stopping us from winning games.

“We’re scoring goals, we’re just not keeping them out at the other end.”

Although Burton led for much of the game, manager Nigel Clough admitted they were fortunate to take their first away point after substitute goalkeeper Harry Campbell made a point blank save from Zanzala in stoppage time.

He said: “It’s one of those games where you should win it all the way through and then you could lose it right at the end.

“It’s important we come away with a point, the first point on the road this season,” added Clough, whose change of goalkeeper was enforced at half-time following injury to Bradley Collins.

“He’s done something to his thigh with a goal kick about halfway through the first half,” Clough explained.

“He felt he could get through to half-time but he couldn’t continue. We’ll assess him this week and see if we need another goalkeeper coming in.”

Burton already have Stephen Bywater sidelined with a shoulder injury and Clough was pleased with Campbell’s contribution.

“Having had absolutely nothing to do for 35 minutes or so he then makes a point blank save in stoppage time and rescues us a point,” said the Brewers boss.

“The biggest disappointment is having got the goal that we didn’t then go and get a second one.”