Burton Albion complete Great Escape in League One

Gary Bowyer's Burton Albion have completed a miraculous escape act to stay up in League One after appearing destined for relegation earlier in the campaign.

The Brewers confirmed their League One status with a 1-1 draw against Ryan Lowe's Wigan Athletic at the Pirelli Stadium.

Ex-Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool and Bradford City boss Bowyer is Burton's third manager of the season after Mark Robinson was relieved of his duties in October 2024 and caretaker Tom Hounsell left the club two months later.

Burton endured a dismal first half of the season, winning just one of their opening 16 League One matches, with relegation to League Two appearing almost inevitable.

Upon Bowyer's arrival at the Pirelli Stadium on 17th December 2024, Burton were sat just one point and one place off rock bottom in League One.

The Mancunian's impact at Burton has thus been nothing short of remarkable, with the Brewers winning eight League One matches since Bowyer took over to end up somehow retaining their place in the division.

The 53-year-old said: "I am immensely proud of the players and the staff.

“It is just incredible and such a young group as well to do what they have done.

“I said to the players about a month ago that if it took going down to the last second and the last kick of the last game, we would take that from where we were when we came in so to have done it with a game to spare is incredible."

Since Bowyer took the helm, Burton have lost only four of 12 league matches in front of their home supporters, with a six-game unbeaten run between January and February critical in their survival bid.

24-year-old forward Rumarn Burrell has been a key figure in the Brewers' revival, with the Grimsby Town academy product notching 10 League One goals since the turn of the year.

After cementing their place in England's third tier, Burton will be keen to kick on next term under Bowyer's stewardship, with the Brewers having now spent the last seven seasons in League One.

James Wilson

• League One
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