Burton Albion weathered a table-topping storm from Wigan Athletic to hold the league leaders to a 0-0 draw.

The Latics held two games in hand over second-placed MK Dons prior to kick-off, but failed to capitalise on The Brewers’ poor recent form and stretch their gap at the top of League One.

It was far from a boring stalemate, with Harry Chapman and Josh Magennis both seeing huge opportunities to score go begging, but at the full-time whistle it was Burton who could be happy with a point, albeit at the expense of being goalless in their last four games.

Team news

The visitors named an unchanged side from the team that beat Lincoln City 2-1 last time out, including top scorer Will Keane, who had scored four goals in his last five games.

Burton were forced into just one alteration, with Jonny Smith confirmed as out injured for the season. Christian Saydee replaced him ahead of kick-off.

Story of the game

Burton struggled to cope with the pressure and movement of Wigan, and it was The Latics who carved out the games first half-chance as Callum Lang drove onto the left-wing to cut back for Tom Naylor on the edge, who screwed an effort into the stands.

Moments later, the poor shot was bettered by Joe Powell, who hit a bouncing ball almost out for a throw-in in the 12th minute of action.

Wigan should have broken the deadlock in the 25th through Josh Magennis, who found himself 1v1 with Matej Kovar, but the Brewers’ goalkeeper stood tall to keep the score level.

Michael Mancienne was next to test a ‘keeper, as he hit a half-volleyed attempt down the throat of Ben Amos three minutes later.

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson nearly placed Burton into an unlikely ascendency just after the half-hour mark, as his skidding drive from the top-left of the box beat Amos, but trickled barely wide of the back stick.

Burton started to believe from that point and largely threatened more than their Northern guests, and Harry Chapman should have capitalised on a Jack Whatmough mistake five minutes later, but he lifted his effort wide with the opportunity gaping.

Wigan came flying out the blocks in the second half, keeping the ball for nearly the entire opening three minutes, culminating in a shot from the edge courtesy of Naylor that Kovar saw all the way into his gloves.

Lang was next to have a dig, audaciously trying to pick out an unguarded net from 60 yards, but the ball sailed safely wide of the mark.

Keane was inches away from breaking a stern deadlock in the 55th minute, barely heading over the bar after being picked out by Max Power.

Burton managed to weather the early storm, however, and should have taken the lead themselves in the 69th minute, as a John Brayford cross met the boot of substitute Oumar Niasse at the back post, but the Senegalese striker fired over from close range.

It was almost pure luck that won it for the visitors, with Power's right-sided cross almost catching Kovar out, but the Czech keeper pushed it away at the last second.

Burton came so close to snatching it at the death as substitute Louis Moult ran through on goal, but was brought down fairly moments before Powell lofted a beautiful effort over everyon towards goal, only to have it cruelly headed away by Kell Watts  off the line, before the referee brought an end to a thrilling contest in the Midlands.

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