Lucas Akins netted an 86th-minute penalty to see Burton Albion to a 2-1 victory over the Blues, for whom Scott Fraser had missed an earlier spot-kick, at the Pirelli Stadium. Joe Powell gave Burton the lead on 19 but a Tom O’Connor own goal three minutes later levelled for the Blues. Town were better after the break but Fraser missed from the spot in the 57th minute and sub Kyle Edwards hit the bar, before Akins made no mistake for the Brewers.

Louie Barry, Armando Dobra and Janoi Donacien all started for the Blues as manager Paul Cook made three changes from the team which began last Saturday’s League One opener against Morecambe, which ended 2-2.

Toto Nsiala missed out having suffered a hamstring injury against the Shrimps, while Wes Burns was absent having also picked up a knock with the same likely to be the case for Conor Chaplin.

Barry played in the number 10 role with Dobra on the right and Fraser on the left. Donacien replaced Nsiala alongside Luke Woolfenden at the centre of the defence.

New signing Edwards was among the subs but this week’s other addition Hayden Coulson was not included in the 18.

Bailey Clements, Idris El Mizouni and Corrie Ndaba were also on the bench having started the Carabao Cup tie against Newport in the week.

For Burton, Terry Taylor replaced injured one-time Town target Deji Oshilaja and Joe Powell came into the team for Jacob Maddox.

Prior to kick-off both teams and staff took a knee to applause from the two sets of supporters.

The game started at a frantic pace with Burton seeking to get the ball forward quickly. However, Town began to find some space to pass the ball and created their first opportunity in the ninth minute.

A cross was looped to Penney beyond the left post from where the former Sheffield Wednesday man hooked back across towards Joe Pigott who challenged with Burton keeper Ben Garratt and it was forced out of play.

In the 12th minute, Barry was sent away down the left as Town broke quickly but was flagged offside as he took it into the area.

On the quarter-hour, Taylor was shown the game’s first yellow card for a challenge on Dobra as the Albanian U21 international counter-attacked following a Brewers corner, referee Sam Purkiss having played the advantage when the tackle had been made.

Two minutes later, Powell struck two shots from the edge of the box which were blocked by Blues defenders with the home side having had the better of it overall.

And in the 19th minute they went in front. Following a quickly-taken free-kick on halfway on the left, Lucas Akins broke down the flank and cut inside for Powell, who was given time and space to shoot low past the advancing Vaclav Hladky.

The lead lasted only three minutes. Dobra was fouled on the left, skipper Lee Evans whipped in a ball to towards the near post and O’Connor headed past his own keeper under pressure from Pigott, subsequently claiming he’d been fouled by the Blues striker.

Burton were next to threaten, Taylor heading wide from an O’Connor cross from the left in the 28th minute.

The Brewers made their first change in the 40th minute with Taylor replaced by former Wolves man Michael Mancienne. Taylor had been booked early on for the foul on Dobra had had been spoken to by the referee shortly beforehand after the second of two fouls on Evans.

That was the last action of the half and Town could count themselves fortunate to be level at the break having scored a goal without managing a shot on target in the half.

The Blues had never really managed to get in control of a game played at a frenetic pace with the direct Brewers presenting the greater threat throughout and preventing Town from playing much fluent football.

The home side’s goal when it came was deserved, while Pigott’s pressure on O’Connor from Evans’s free-kick led to Town’s equaliser.

The game is likely to become more open the longer it progresses which should suit the Blues.

Town were first to threaten after the break in the 49th minute. Fraser sent Kane Vincent-Young away down the right then picked up the ball after the former Colchester man had been challenged. Fraser took the ball on on the right of the area but crossed into keeper Garratt’s arms.

On 52 a long thrown from the right was allowed to bounce in the area before Vincent-Young was able to head clear.

But Town were beginning to get on top and in the 56th minute Fraser threaded in Rekeem Harper on the right of the box and his cross was diverted over by a defender.

And following the flag-kick, the Blues won a penalty. The ball had been played back across from the right and Barry took it past O’Connor, who sent him tumbling. Referee Purkiss pointed straight to the spot and booked the defender.

Ex-Brewer Fraser took the kick and after a pause and a stutter in his run-up hit his shot low to Garratt’s right and the keeper saved. Dobra tried to make something of it from a tight angle but the ball was bundled behind.

The game was increasingly open and on 64 Matt Penney sent over a dangerous cross from the left which Ryan Leak somehow put over his bar when it looked more likely he would put past his own keeper.

A minute later, Town swapped Dobra, who again had presented the Blues’ main attacking threat, for Macauley Bonne and Barry, who did well to win the penalty but was otherwise quiet, for debutant Edwards.

The new signing quickly made an impression, taking the ball in a stride from the left before smashing a 25-yard strike which slammed off the underside of the bar but bounced away from goal.

Conor O’Shaughnessy head over for the home side in the 72nd minute, then Harper slipped over as he shot from the edge of the box at the other end.

On 79 Town boss Paul Cook was booked for a clash with Tom Hamer as the Burton man tried to get the ball to take a throw. Cook and his Burton counterpart exchanged smiles and a hug before referee Purkiss issued the card.

Two minutes later, Harper headed over from a tight angle on the left from a Fraser free-kick from the opposite flank.

The Blues were finishing the game on top. On 84 Edwards played a clever ball through for Fraser but the Scot’s first touch let him down.

A minute later, Burton were awarded a penalty. The Brewers had broken down the left and then across the area to Powell, who was tripped by Penney as he chased back into the box.

Akins succeeded where Fraser had failed finding the net to Hladky’s left as the keeper dived to the right.

Leak headed well wide from a corner on 89, then at the other end an Edwards strike deflected wide as the fourth official’s board indicated four additional minutes.

Moments later, Harper curled a shot into Garratt’s arms after more good work from Edwards.

Mancienne was booked for a foul on Evans, having been lucky to avoid a card for an earlier studs-high challenge on Harper.

Following the free-kick, Edwards crossed from the right and Woolfenden saw a header blocked.

Town were still pushing as the whistle confirmed their first ever defeat to Burton and their first loss at the Pirelli Stadium.

Having been second best in the first half, the Blues were better in the second half but without seriously threatening until Fraser’s missed penalty.

Edwards, who was very lively in his time on the field, was unfortunate with his strike off his bar before more of the defending which has characterised the first week of the season led to Akins’s penalty and Burton’s winner.

The Blues visit Cheltenham, who lost 3-1 at home to Wycombe today, on Tuesday still looking for their first victory of the season.

Burton: Garratt, Brayford (c), Powell, Akins, Smith (Bostwick 88), Patrick, O'Connor, Shaughnessy, Taylor (Mancienne 40), Leak, Hamer. Unused: Balcombe, Borthwick-Jackson, Blake-Tracy, Amadi-Holloway, Williams.

Town: Hladky, Vincent-Young, Donacien, Woolfenden, Penney, Harper, Evans (c), Fraser, Barry (Edwards 65), Dobra (Bonne 65), Pigott. Unused: Holy, Ndaba, Clements, El Mizouni, Jackson. Referee: Sam Purkiss (London). Att 3,766 (Town: 1,400).

Photo: Pagepix

dirtydingusmagee added 19:13 - Aug 14 sorry folks , WE ARE NOWHERE NEAR, changing things ,Cook has done talking but F A since he arrived except changing the squad and talking, Pre season was crap, nothing so far to show Cook is any better manager than previous, hope im wrong but PC seems like another BIG I AM .Give us a win PC .EVEN IF ITS AGAINST PUB TEAM .
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GiveusaWave added 19:16 - Aug 14 Strong performance from ITFC. Think Burton will be a top half team come end of the season so should feel proud that we matched them for most of the match....
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Davidwb20 added 19:17 - Aug 14 Mark me down if you want! It has to be said Cooks record since he has been Ipswich's manager is appalling. Heard lot's of excuses lsst season. He has signed his own choice of players and it will take time to gel. Having said that the results will need to come sooner than later to get promoted. From watching the game today we still have the same defensive frailties, one shot on target! so better no better in the attacking department!! bypassed our midfield and spent more time passing sideways and backwards in our own half! I seem to remember this being the same story previously. Over to you Mr Cook!!

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Monkey_Blue added 19:18 - Aug 14 FelixBlues… are you Cook's brother or something? Working miracles? He took over a side on a 5 game unbeaten run including the last three as wins and proceeded to produce the worst form and performances we've had in this league. He's been given Carte Blanche to change the squad. Working miracles? That's rescuing a side from the bottom of the table with no financial backing or getting a team of rejects to promotion. He's hired three of his mates with no first team coaching experience and done nothing but spout old school football cliches. I am not calling for him to be sacked, but I think we may have hired the wrong man.

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grumpyoldman added 19:22 - Aug 14 People mention Norwich to compare with our present plight. Season they won League One, first ten games, won 3, lost 3 drew 4, let's try to be logical and stop going over the top at a couple of poor results. Some don't like Cook, well at present he is the manager, the only people who matter regarding his employment are not posters on here.
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WonTheCupin78 added 19:31 - Aug 14 We are playing good football and are creating opportunities in games. Also, we have only played TWO league games so far and did get a point against Morecambe in one of them. The results will come but it will take time for players to gel. This season was only ever meant to be a building season.
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tallguy6767 added 19:37 - Aug 14 Definitely need at least 10 games to gel any sort of team together, but what worries me is we look well short of quality at the back but keep signing attack minded players, judging by today's scoreline that philosophy isn't going to work !
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tallguy6767 added 19:43 - Aug 14 Anyone stating they manage a under 9s team when phoning into radio suffolk post match should be cut off immediately !!
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ChrisR added 19:45 - Aug 14 PC so far has an abysmal record , worse then Hurst and Lambert after similar games. He has wiped out the squad he took over and with which he failed to secure a probable play off place , got lucky with new owners knowing zero about the game , hired a load of inexperienced cronies with limited coaching background , and now can not organise his or 6 new forwards to score a goal in his last 3 games against lowly opposition . Hope I'm wrong but does he really know what he is doing ???

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UhlenbeekDownTheWing added 19:45 - Aug 14 It does amaze me that people are talking of promotion and playoffs. On what basis do we believe that is a remote possibility this year? We have a whole new team - can anyone cite any examples of that leading to a promotion? Expectations being sky high will lead to people calling for (more) change of leadership. Whilst PC has done nothing to evidence he is the answer during his time at Portman Road, we have gone out and created a squad in his image. These are his signing and his players. Whilst I was anti keeping him at the end of last season (as we went from playoff contenders to nowhere with him in charge), sacking PC now would be beyond bizarre.

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felixblues added 19:46 - Aug 14 Monkey Blue....what would you suggest ?yet another change of manager?most people on here wanted Lambert out and got their wish.Most people on here wanted Evan's out and got their wsh.We now have new owners who seem to be making the right noises. We need to trust their judgement and back the manager. Burley inherited a poor side(Utd 9v0) and took several years to turn it around. Ps I'm not related to Cook and he wouldn't have been my first choice either 😁

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Towny_in_Taipei added 19:52 - Aug 14 Thank god TWTD didn't exist when SBR was going through sticky times!!
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FrankMarshall added 19:59 - Aug 14 Good game of football, first half we were excellent. Good opportunity this year for the team to get used to each other's style of play; then we can push for a top six spot next season. Very happy with the performances of the team and the new infrastructure at the club; we are creating something good here and it won't be long before we are back where we belong.
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RobsonWark added 20:01 - Aug 14 Just watched the highlights on SkySports.com For Burton's first goal, Woolfenden looked like he was playing in a training session and not a first team game. He did absolutely nothing to try and stop them scoring. Our missed penalty - wtf! Why can't so called professional footballers make up their mind where they are going to aim for the goal before they run up and just hit the football at their target? Why all this pussy footing about? It doesn't faze the keeper. It gives the keeper the advantage because the player taking the penalty can not kick the ball as hard and it also means the player taking the kick has to try and readjust at the last minute. Reminds me of the 3 missed penalties in the Euro final all over again!

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BangaloreBlues added 20:07 - Aug 14 A promoted team is generally consistent throughout the season. Whether we played well or not, missing a penalty and then conceding is definitely three points lost that should have been on the board. Those three points would be absolutely crucial at the end of the season, and we've lost them in game two. I'm not saying anything other than that statement, and no implications are intended other than that statement.

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TonyHumesIpswich added 20:14 - Aug 14 Effort is good, passing is solid and some of the link up play is superb. Obviously results aren't great right now but that will be expected for the first half of this season as we are nearly a completely new team! As long as we stay middle of the table this year I'll be more than happy knowing we are going to get better and better. Fleetwood Town, Shrewsbury, Doncaster, Crewe, Cheltenham, Gillingham, Charlton and Cambridge- all below us in the league.

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Dissboyitfc added 20:25 - Aug 14 Seemingly cast on the managerial scrapheap before he'd barely got going, Robson knew he had perhaps one more chance in him. It would need to be an owner or a chairman willing to take a risk and not pull the plug if things got dicey early on. Luckily for Sir Bobby, John Cobbold was just that man. The Chairman of Ipswich Town, Cobbold, together with his brother Patrick who was also on the board and would later become Chairman himself, ran Ipswich as a friendly, almost genteel family club. Upon Sir Bobby's appointment in January 1969, instantly the three men knew that they had found the right balance. Inheriting a team low on both confidence and discipline, Sir Bobby set about ringing the changes. Sir Bobby was given time, i think Cook needs time too! Some of the experts on here are priceless!! Anybody that thinks you can change a whole team and all the backroom staff and be the team you want to be after 2 games are totally out of touch with reality. There are so many moving parts and it will take time! Is Paul Cook the man? A good question that only time will answer, 2 games is not enough and to think it is, is plain wrong!

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TonyHumesIpswich added 20:39 - Aug 14 Very good post Dissboy ITFC. If we are rock-bottom of the league with 6-10 points after 20 games then I could understand some of the reactions here. We aren't playing Football Manager here, this is the real world and a team takes time to build.
3

dirtydingusmagee added 21:52 - Aug 14 well hang on TonyHumes, still time, lol,
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markchips added 21:58 - Aug 14 I would like the club to let us know what the problem is with Edmundsen . We spent a fortune on him and he should be playing and not allegedly injured. Woolfenden clearly not up to scratch and Nsisla always injured. There needs to be a complete clear out of the old players before the window closes.
0

Linkboy13 added 22:13 - Aug 14 It's obvious Wolfenden hasn't got the mental toughness to make a central defender even in division one and will be surprised if he's in the team for Cheltenham.
4

runaround added 22:53 - Aug 14 Would have been disappointed with a draw let alone a defeat! We were dominant in the second half & put them under real pressure but Fraser really fluffed the penalty to such an extent it was like a pass back! Also we can't keep giving away goals like we have been recently, the defence today seemed sloppy throughout, nearly being robbed in possession a few times and reacting slowly to movement of Burton players. Hopefully Edmondson, Coulson and Burgess will soon be available to help steady that & then we can start to impose ourselves more. Was very impressed with Edwards and his effort that hit the bar was so close to being a brilliant goal

2

Facefacts added 23:19 - Aug 14 We are signing crocks to replace the central defence - I guess they were all that were available. The Rangers guy should have been fit, it's no excuse. Had he downed tools and not trained at Rangers? Hurt himself picking up his wages. Someone from Accrington, we must be desperate. Woolfenden will be dropped at some point, as a team should be built on a solid spine and will take a while. Can't expect miracles. This is the last big picture revolution we will ever see at this club. All the money has been bet on Paul Cook. It has to work or we will slide into oblivion. By league 1 standards this is a staggering investment in a failed club. To buy so many players in such a short time is risking everything because there is no time to do due diligence 100% on every player. What's worrying me now at this moment is that, after a huge investment in long term player contracts, we can't defend and we can't score goals. We pick up more injuries than anyone else. Never mind the pretty build up play. Very worried that we have backed the wrong man. Their penalty was ref i) payback for giving us a pen, ii) conned by the guy who said hey my leg got touched, ooh it hurts, I'll hop on the other leg and yes ref we'll have one for that as you gave them one for nothing. Pathetic, but we know refs are so bad at this level already.

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thecheek added 23:29 - Aug 14 Clearly it's early days for Cook and he needs to be given a chance but let's face it he has been a disaster thus far We could have got in the play offs when he took over last season and now this..
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coolcat added 00:02 - Aug 15 MonkeyBlue agree with every word of your last comment. Were my thoughts at the time. We didn't need rescuing.
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