Dale succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at the Pirelli Stadium to bring their winning run to an end, with Richard Walker grabbing a deflected goal very early on.
Keith Hill made one change from the side that started against Darlington in midweek. Will Buckley came into the side in place of Joe Thompson after coming off the bench to score against The Quakers. Dale lined up with Kenny Arthur in goal and Scott Wiseman, Tom Kennedy, Nathan Stanton and Craig Dawson along the back four. Jason Kennedy and Gary Jones made up the engine room in midfield, whilst Buckley and Simon Whaley operated down the flanks. Chris Dagnall partnered Chris O'Grady up top, fresh from scoring his second goal in Dale colours in the North-East during midweek. There was a familiar face in the Burton line-up, as former Dale loanee Guy Branston captained the home side from centre half.
There was a slight nip in the air inside the Pirelli Stadium forcing Keith Hill to sport a club jacket to keep the cold out. However, his side couldn't keep out their opponents in the opening minutes as the Brewers took an early lead. With just three minutes on the clock a ball down the right to Greg Pearson led to him bringing the ball down and playing it into the middle for Richard Walker. The former Bristol Rovers striker turned and shot towards goal, but it took a deflection off Nathan Stanton to direct it past a helpless Kenny Arthur, and breaking the deadlock early on.
This was the worst possible start for Dale and the side that had picked up four consecutive wins previous to this game had a big task to get back into the game and extend that run. Good play from Chris Dagnall allowed Will Buckley to break free of the defence with the exception of Tony James, whose pressure forced Buckley wide onto his left foot, before he placed a shot into the side netting.
The opening twenty minutes were very end-to-end, although there were no clear-cut chances for either side. Burton's Jimmy Phillips, who was lively throughout the match, had a good effort on the half volley, although Kenny Arthur didn't have to move as he collected it with ease. Simon Whaley had a half-chance for Dale but his right-foot strike from distance cleared the crossbar.
Dale were looking to play the passing game which had served them so well over the past six games, but unfortunately things weren't happening for Keith Hill's men. Greg Pearson, the creator for Burton's goal, had a decent opportunity with his head but he placed it well wide of Kenny Arthur's goal.
The fluid passing game which had deserted Dale in the opening half an hour made a return in the 33rd minute when Will Buckley was sent clear. A succession of short, sharp passes led to Gary Jones feeding an excellent ball into Buckley, but his left foot shot was well saved by Artur Krysiak. A second chance in a matter of minutes fell Dale's way after good play between Tom Kennedy and Simon Whaley. Kennedy's cross from the left found Chris O'Grady at the back post, but his strong shot went just wide of the Artur Krysiak's far post.
Dale's passing game was now back in full swing and Burton were being placed firmly on the back foot. Gary Jones had a fizzing drive well saved by Krysiak with 40 minutes played. The home side then had a slice of luck when Chris O'Grady fired a ball in low from the left, but it ricocheted off Guy Branston and Tony James before bouncing clear for a corner.
One minute off added time was played, but neither side could force an opportunity and the half came to a close with Burton a goal to the good.
The second half started and almost produced an instant equaliser for Dale. Chris O'Grady did well on the right side of the penalty area before firing a cross over, but unfortunately Burton 'keeper Krysiak just plucked it out of the air before Chris Dagnall could knock the ball home.
Dale applied the pressure to Burton in the opening few minutes of the half without creating a goal-scoring opportunity. The home side had a few chances of their own with around six minutes gone. Greg Pearson had a strong effort well saved by Kenny Arthur and Richard Walker tried to beat the Scot with a cheeky chip which just found its way over the Dale crossbar.
Simon Whaley was the next to test Krysiak in the Burton goal, when he cut inside onto his right-foot before firing a shot toward Krysiak's near post. However, the 'keeper was equal to it to maintain his side's one goal lead.
As the clocked ticked into the 57th minute the game created two magnificent chances, for both sides. Greg Pearson had the chance to prod home but Kenny Arthur did well to make a save and parry the ball out, and did superbly the second time around the block a shot from Andy Corbett. Dale then broke free through Will Buckley who switched the ball wide to Whaley. Whaley did superbly to beat two men and get the ball onto his left foot, but his shot went wide of Artur Krysiak's right post.
Craig Dawson came off with what looked like a knock, as he was replaced by Marcus Holness. Just several minutes later Joe Thompson came on for Chris Dagnall, and he went straight up front to partner Chris O'Grady.
In the 67th minute, Simon Whaley had another right-foot drive at goal, but this time Krysiak had to tip the ball round the post for a corner to Dale. Burton nearly doubled their lead just a minute later when Richard Walker fired a ball in towards Greg Pearson, but Scott Wiseman came across superbly to clear the ball just before Pearson could turn the ball home.
The game was becoming much more open and Burton had another great opportunity to double their lead. Tricky work from Jimmy Phillips just inside the area led to him firing a shot off which was well saved by Kenny Arthur before being cleared by Scott Wiseman. Arthur was called into action when Andy Corbett had a shot from the right angle of the area, forcing the Dale 'keeper to turn the ball over the crossbar.
Dale had a great chance to grab an equaliser in the 78th minute when a rare mistake from Guy Branston allowed Simon Whaley to break free at goal. He rolled a ball across to Chris O'Grady, but as the Dale front-man was about to pull the trigger, Ryan Austin came across to make a great clearance and deny O'Grady an easy tap-in.
O'Grady was then replaced by Scott Spencer with 10 minutes to play as Dale looked for an alternative route to grab a goal.
As the clock ticked down, Dale couldn't find a way past the impressive Burton defence. The home side did their best to slow the game down to a snail's pace, which meant Dale couldn't pressure Burton as constantly as they would have liked to.
The home side almost doubled their lead in the final minute, but Kenny Arthur did well to parry Jacques Maghoma's shot before smothering the loose ball.
As four minutes of added time were indicated there were shouts of handball from the Dale faithful behind the goal, but the referee waved away any protests. The last act of the game fell to Scott Spencer who headed over from Tom Kennedy's left-side cross.
Dale's run of four consecutive games came to an end as Burton's defence kept out an away side full of goals. Keith Hill will turn his attention to Barnet at home on Saturday now as Dale look to make amends for the defeat to Paul Peschisoido's side.
Burton: Krysiak, Boertien, Simpson, James, McGrath, Corett, Walker, Austin, Phillips, Pearson, Branston.
Dale: Arthur, Wiseman, T Kennedy, Stanton, Dawson, J Kennedy, Jones, Whaley, Buckley, O'Grady, Dagnall.
Attendance: 3,119.
