Burton Albion's alternative use of sports science to deny Portsmouth late winner

Conscious of the Blues' potential to snatch a late winner in the League One encounter that finished 2-2, Brewers boss Nigel Clough threw on one of his own coaching staff as a 93rd-minute substitute to help deal with any last-gasp pressure.

Thirty-four-year-old Chris Breadsley joined Burton as a fitness coach and sports scientist in July 2016.

The one-time striker played for the likes of Mansfield, Stevenage and Preston North End during a career spanning 14 years.

But his last game came in a League Two 2-1 defeat for the Stags against Hartlepool during the 2015-16 season '“ two-and-a-half years ago.

He's been on Clough's coaching staff since then, but was registered as a player back in August when Burton were struggling to name a full bench.

And with the Brewers facing a late, late corner at the Fratton End on Tuesday, his six-foot frame was deemed the perfect foil to deny Kenny Jackett's side a third goal from a cross into the box.

Explaining his decision to bring on Beardsley for Jamie Allen, Clough told Derbyshire Live: '˜It was just to head it, that was it.

'˜Because we'd already conceded from one and a cross as well, and that's their main threat.

'˜We'd been through all the goals they'd scored, and it's a huge threat from set plays.

'˜So he was the only one left on the staff that's over six foot.

'˜We couldn't see Marcus Harness, Elliot Hodge or Joe Sbarra coming on, unless they go on each other's shoulders, we couldn't see them making a real difference in our penalty area.

'˜So just putting another man on there, that was the thinking.'

Oli Hawkins scored from a Ben Thompson cross into the box to give the Blues a half-time lead against Burton.

Two quick-fire goals at the start of the second half handed the visitors an unlikely lead, before Matt Clarke headed home from a Gareth Evans corner just before the hour mark to ensure Pompey a share of the spoils.