Following the usual pre-match rituals, it was Walsall that got the game underway as a larger than usual crowd took their seats.
The opening few minutes saw both sides seeking possession in midfield, a few sloppy passes allowing the opposition to get back in play.
Following the awarding of a soft free kick against Liam Kinsella, the Brewers wasted the opportunity, as the ball went straight out of play for a Saddlers throw.
As Rico Henry had a dangerous cross cleared, the game continued to be fairly frenetic, with both sides having the ball in advanced positions. The Brewers were awarded a free kick for an Adam Chambers foul on Akins. (We think) Adam was booked, as the visiting supporters sought a red card. The free kick came to nothing with the Saddlers standing firm.
Later in the half Burton's Mark Duffy sent a speculative effort wide of goal following a partially cleared cross. The visitors later won a corner, which Anthony O'Connor headed wide of goal.
As we reached the twenty minute mark, following some nice play between Sam Mantom, Tom Bradshaw and Reece Flanagan, the flame-haired midfielder was almost through on goal thanks to a clever flicked pass, 'keeper McLaughlin alert to rush off his line.
With thirty minutes gone, as Walsall enjoyed an extended spell of possession, Romaine Sawyers found space and saw a long-distance drive tipped wide of goal, with a corner awarded.
The flag kick was cleared, but the Saddlers retained the ball for a spell of passing play, Burton eventually regrouped and finally got the ball away.
As Burton looked to build an attack, the Saddlers broke out and Rico Henry raced down the wing, cut inside and found an attacking Sam Mantom, who side footed wide.
The Saddlers opened the scoring just a few moments later, a flowing move involving Sam Mantom and Romaine Sawyers found Liam Kinsella in space, he did superbly to slot the ball home into the bottom corner. His first senior goal.
The goal took the wind out of the Brewers' sails for a short period, as they began to sit back when the Saddlers were on the ball. They remained dangerous in attack, straying offside with a few minutes of the half remaining.
With a few moments of the half remaining, Rico Henry was booked for a very soft challenge on Akins, the free kick was cleared.
One minute of added time was awarded as Dean Smith and the referee had a discussion about the man in black's decision to book Rico. We reached the break soon after...
The opening few minutes saw both sides seeking possession in midfield, a few sloppy passes allowing the opposition to get back in play.
Following the awarding of a soft free kick against Liam Kinsella, the Brewers wasted the opportunity, as the ball went straight out of play for a Saddlers throw.
As Rico Henry had a dangerous cross cleared, the game continued to be fairly frenetic, with both sides having the ball in advanced positions. The Brewers were awarded a free kick for an Adam Chambers foul on Akins. (We think) Adam was booked, as the visiting supporters sought a red card. The free kick came to nothing with the Saddlers standing firm.
Later in the half Burton's Mark Duffy sent a speculative effort wide of goal following a partially cleared cross. The visitors later won a corner, which Anthony O'Connor headed wide of goal.
As we reached the twenty minute mark, following some nice play between Sam Mantom, Tom Bradshaw and Reece Flanagan, the flame-haired midfielder was almost through on goal thanks to a clever flicked pass, 'keeper McLaughlin alert to rush off his line.
With thirty minutes gone, as Walsall enjoyed an extended spell of possession, Romaine Sawyers found space and saw a long-distance drive tipped wide of goal, with a corner awarded.
The flag kick was cleared, but the Saddlers retained the ball for a spell of passing play, Burton eventually regrouped and finally got the ball away.
As Burton looked to build an attack, the Saddlers broke out and Rico Henry raced down the wing, cut inside and found an attacking Sam Mantom, who side footed wide.
The Saddlers opened the scoring just a few moments later, a flowing move involving Sam Mantom and Romaine Sawyers found Liam Kinsella in space, he did superbly to slot the ball home into the bottom corner. His first senior goal.
The goal took the wind out of the Brewers' sails for a short period, as they began to sit back when the Saddlers were on the ball. They remained dangerous in attack, straying offside with a few minutes of the half remaining.
With a few moments of the half remaining, Rico Henry was booked for a very soft challenge on Akins, the free kick was cleared.
One minute of added time was awarded as Dean Smith and the referee had a discussion about the man in black's decision to book Rico. We reached the break soon after...
SKY BET LEAGUE 1 - HALF TIME
WALSALL 1-0 BURTON ALBION
The Brewers got the second half underway, and the half began in similar fashion to the first, with both sides looking to get the ball down, and being forced back by solid defending.
The visitors had the first corner of the half, but the effort was easily grasped by Craig MacGillivray who was in for the international Neil Etheridge, easy for the young stopper.
Following a cleared Saddlers attack, the visitors won another corner, this one caused the Saddlers much more trouble, as Sam Mantom was forced to clear off the line, the crossbar also helping to prevent the goal as the referee awarded the Saddlers a free kick for a push inside the box.
After something of a midfield battle, the game opened up again around the hour mark, Walsall saw a Sam Mantom effort go just wide of goal.
Following a rising Reece Flanagan effort, Burton made the opening change of the game as Binnom-Williams replaced Akins in midfield.
Craig MacGillivray was called into action as we reached the sixty five minute mark as Beavon sent in a low drive towards goal.
The Brewers soon went on to make another change as Mark Duffy was replaced by Timmy Thiele in midfield, fresh legs for the visitors.
As we moved within twenty minutes of the final whistle, the visitors won another corner, Saddlers defender James O'Connor rose the highest and sent the ball clear.
Following a cleared Burton cross, the Saddlers made their opening change of the game as Reece Flanagan was replaced by Jordan Cook, Dean Smith seemingly switching formation late in the game.
After the visitors wasted a free kick they made their final change with on-loan Wolves midfielder Ismail replacing Butcher in the centre of the park.
With around ten minutes of the game remaining the match opened up again, both sides looking to attack, and being a little sloppy in the final third, Romaine Sawyers doing well to quell a Brewers break following a poor Cook touch.
Walsall almost doubled their lead with around eight minutes of the game remaining, as Sam Mantom saw a shot deflect wide, a great break from the Saddlers with Romaine Sawyers and Tom Bradshaw heavily involved.
Following a broken down Walsall free kick, Rico Henry, who looked to be hobbling, was replaced by Anthony Forde. A standing ovation for Rico as he made his way to the bench.
As Liam Kinsella blocked a Thiele effort from point-blank range, Walsall made their third and final change, with hard-hitting Matt Preston coming on for James O'Connor.
Walsall saw another effort on goal late on, as Jordan Cook had a curling effort saved.
As four minutes of added time were awarded, the Saddlers won a penalty, hand-ball inside the area as Sawyers looked to dink the ball past a defender, enough for the referee to point to the spot.
Top-scorer Tom Bradshaw stepped up and sent the ball low past the 'keeper to secure the win for the men in red.
The visitors failed to make any use of the remaining added time, as the Saddlers stood firm to secure their place at the top of the table...
The visitors had the first corner of the half, but the effort was easily grasped by Craig MacGillivray who was in for the international Neil Etheridge, easy for the young stopper.
Following a cleared Saddlers attack, the visitors won another corner, this one caused the Saddlers much more trouble, as Sam Mantom was forced to clear off the line, the crossbar also helping to prevent the goal as the referee awarded the Saddlers a free kick for a push inside the box.
After something of a midfield battle, the game opened up again around the hour mark, Walsall saw a Sam Mantom effort go just wide of goal.
Following a rising Reece Flanagan effort, Burton made the opening change of the game as Binnom-Williams replaced Akins in midfield.
Craig MacGillivray was called into action as we reached the sixty five minute mark as Beavon sent in a low drive towards goal.
The Brewers soon went on to make another change as Mark Duffy was replaced by Timmy Thiele in midfield, fresh legs for the visitors.
As we moved within twenty minutes of the final whistle, the visitors won another corner, Saddlers defender James O'Connor rose the highest and sent the ball clear.
Following a cleared Burton cross, the Saddlers made their opening change of the game as Reece Flanagan was replaced by Jordan Cook, Dean Smith seemingly switching formation late in the game.
After the visitors wasted a free kick they made their final change with on-loan Wolves midfielder Ismail replacing Butcher in the centre of the park.
With around ten minutes of the game remaining the match opened up again, both sides looking to attack, and being a little sloppy in the final third, Romaine Sawyers doing well to quell a Brewers break following a poor Cook touch.
Walsall almost doubled their lead with around eight minutes of the game remaining, as Sam Mantom saw a shot deflect wide, a great break from the Saddlers with Romaine Sawyers and Tom Bradshaw heavily involved.
Following a broken down Walsall free kick, Rico Henry, who looked to be hobbling, was replaced by Anthony Forde. A standing ovation for Rico as he made his way to the bench.
As Liam Kinsella blocked a Thiele effort from point-blank range, Walsall made their third and final change, with hard-hitting Matt Preston coming on for James O'Connor.
Walsall saw another effort on goal late on, as Jordan Cook had a curling effort saved.
As four minutes of added time were awarded, the Saddlers won a penalty, hand-ball inside the area as Sawyers looked to dink the ball past a defender, enough for the referee to point to the spot.
Top-scorer Tom Bradshaw stepped up and sent the ball low past the 'keeper to secure the win for the men in red.
The visitors failed to make any use of the remaining added time, as the Saddlers stood firm to secure their place at the top of the table...
SKY BET LEAGUE 1 - RESULT
WALSALL 2 - 0 BURTON ALBION
GOALS | Kinsella (36'), Bradshaw PEN (90+2')
ATTENDANCE | 6,812 (1,301 Burton Albion)
REFEREE | Mr. Tim ROBINSON | West Sussex