Burton Albion 0 v Charlton Athletic 1

Johnnie Jackson did it again yesterday as his rejuvenated side made it ten points from twelve since he took over from Adkins. The thousand travelling fans didn't care but it wasn't pretty to watch and the game will have left Jackson cogitating on the way home about the side he will field against form team Plymouth next week.

Referee Trevor Kettle was at it again yesterday with two red cards and five yellows in the opening half which spoilt the game. The reds, for Stockley and former Addick Deji Oshilaja, came early and it was clear Kettle hadn't seen the off-the-ball tussle and was lead by the lino who I don't think got a proper view of it either given the decision. From the replays, Stockley had his arm around Deji's neck and wrestled him to the ground as the ball was cleared from the other side of their box. On the ground and as they broke, our Jayden appeared to catch Deji with a flailing left arm and the two locked again as other players came to separate them. For me, a red for Oshilaja was wrong but Stockley was asking for trouble and found it. His aggressiveness and use of his arms in particular is all part of his game, especially when trying to compete in the air but this was on the ground and he can have few complaints. 

Who would be missed the most was the obvious question and two minutes later Ben Purrington answered it with a fine headed finish from a corner which Famewo did well to keep alive. His strong headed flick on to the centre of the six yard area found Purrington unmarked he was able to nod it past Garratt in the home goal.

After that, Kettle's famed card-tourettes saw him flash yellow approximately every three minutes until half-time. A couple were deserved but a couple weren't and there was also some inconsistency elsewhere, but this is Trevor Kettle. Famewo in particular can count himself unfortunate for a card for time-wasting four minutes into added time in the first-half. Kettle also managed to show a yellow in the tunnel to Harry Arter "for something he said." I think we have a better idea of what that might have been than the rationale for some of his other decisions. Kettle may well have 'had a moment' at half-time because he managed not to get a card out for the entire second-half. 

The game itself was very scrappy with few clear-cut chances at either end. Charlton edged it but Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink was clearly unhappy throughout and was seen arguing toe-to-toe with Jackson before half-time. Burton didn't do nearly enough to deserve much more than they got and barring a strong Joel Powell effort at the near post which MacGillivray did brilliantly well to beat out with one arm after the break, they didn't seriously threaten. 

Injuries and international duty saw Clare drafted into a back three with Famewo and Pearce. Not my choice with Elerewe on the bench but he did ok and the defence was solid enough, if not exactly stretched. Dobson broke things up in front and I though Jaiyesimi had his best game in ages and was a constant threat in the first-half particularly. MacGillivray did everything expected of him and Lee was busy keeping the pressure on Burton which stopped them moving up. Gilbey had a quiet game but he prefers it when there is more space to play in and that was in short supply yesterday.

Jackson's dilemma this week will be his defence against Plymouth - Famewo will be missing through suspension and with Inniss and Lavelle crocked, I think he will need to consider a return to a four man backline against free-scoring Argyle. At the other end Stockley's absence will expose our failure to sign another striker this Summer. Conor Washington will be back from Northern Ireland duty but partnering options are limited with rookies Davison or Burstow. If Leko is fit again, he may offer a better option or he may decide to go with one upfront. Argyle is looking like a very tough ask as things stand.