THE Kassam Stadium is rapidly becoming one of Burton Albion’s favourite grounds according to manager Gary Rowett.

Lucas Akins’s close range shot just before half-time gave the Brewers a 1-0 opening day victory.

It came hot on the heels of a 2-1 success on the same ground in March, which helped Burton on their way to securing a play-off place.

Rowett felt the memory of the win in the spring helped on Saturday.

The Burton boss said: “It’s no easy place to come first game of the season, but I would say this is one of our more favourite places to come and play after last season.

“That took away the fear factor, but nevertheless I think we had to dig in and do the right things.”

The visitors were on the back foot for most of the first half, as United dominated possession.

Rowett added: “It took us a while to get to grips with their shape and I think we need to press with a little more intensity in the first 20 minutes.

“Once we’d coped with that I thought it was a case of ‘can we see the game out?’”

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