City 2, Burton 0

FROM the ridiculous to the sublime – City swapped jeers for cheers as they left Valley Parade in raptures last night.

A week on from losing to a team with one foot in League Two, they trampled a Burton side on the verge of a first-ever appearance in the Championship.

Booed off against Colchester, Valley Parade stood as one at the final whistle to salute a hugely-impressive effort from Phil Parkinson's men to move level with Barnsley in the last play-off spot.

The tightest defence in the division – Burton had conceded just 28 times in the previous 34 games – was breached twice by half-time.

Kyel Reid and Reece Burke, two of City's biggest performers, got the goals but it was a real all-round effort, even more so considering they were minus Rory McArdle and leading scorer James Hanson.

Phil Parkinson had stressed how important the depth of City's squad would be during the run-in and that was put to the test with his starting line-up.

McArdle was missing with his shoulder injury but Parkinson also had to deal with Hanson's late withdrawal because of a stomach bug.

No Hanson meant an untried attacking partnership of Jamie Proctor and Billy Clarke, who swapped places with the benched Wes Thomas. It was Proctor's first start since last month's loss at Burton.

The Brewers' last trip to Valley Parade in 2013 appeared to torpedo City's play-off chances when they won the semi-final first leg in League Two – only for Parkinson's side to overturn the deficit in the return.

The stakes may not have been quite as high this time but there was still a feeling that the result could go some way in determining whether City were strong enough to make the end-of-season mix. They sure did that.

And how the crowd loved every minute. Parkinson had called for the fans to stick behind his team after the tough reception City had got in the last home outing – and the support never wavered.

The opening was typically tight – you expect that in Burton games – but City were clearly aware of the significance of the occasion. They were positive from the off and were rewarded with the breakthrough after 13 minutes.

Clarke latched on to Proctor's flick and drew the defence before laying off for Reid to rattle it past former team-mate Jon McLaughlin. It was a superb goal to explode the game into life.

But City had no chance to rest on their laurels as Burton hit straight back – and it needed two brave pieces of defending to prevent an equaliser.

Nathan Clarke's slip allowed Stuart Beavon room to pick out Calum Butcher in front of goal but Burke threw himself in the way of his shot before Ben Williams denied Mark Duffy from the rebound.

It was proper "bodies on the line" stuff from the Bantams and the fans appreciated their efforts.

Buoyed by his goal, Reid had the bit between his teeth but there was a real conviction about the whole side – and it was no surprise when they doubled the lead.

Billy Clarke caught Burton on their heels when he received a short free-kick, finding room on the edge of the box. His low curler was well kept out by the diving McLaughlin but Burke was following up to hammer home the rebound.

Valley Parade bounced as the leaders rocked – Burton were struggling to get out of their own half as City penned them in deep.

It should have been 3-0 on the half-hour mark. Lee Evans swung in a free-kick and there was Tony McMahon a couple of yards out at the far post. But somehow he knocked it wide and stood frozen to the spot in utter despair.

City, though, remained on the front foot, with Reid summing up the mood. Both full backs were on yellow cards, so he switched between sides to exploit their discomfort.

Billy Clarke, with two assists under his belt, was also looking more like his old self and a cheeky back-heel teed up Proctor for a shot over the bar from 20 yards out.

Burton still offered a threat on the break but the home defence, led by the impressive Burke, stood firm in a late flurry at the end of the half.

Williams came a long way for a free-kick and failed to claim but recovered quickly to block the shot that followed. Lucas Akins then nodded well wide but City were good value for their advantage.

The visitors sounded an early warning after the resumption as Butcher headed across goal and just wide from Beavon's cross.

But City responded through the effervescent Reid, forcing a save from McLaughlin with a low 25-yard drive, and then Proctor raced on to Nathan Clarke's long ball and half-volleyed over.

Proctor was putting in a big shift, running the channels and chasing down defenders – an attitude that was mirrored across the team.

Burton were not out of it by a long chalk and centre half John Mousinho drove against the advertising hoardings from their first corner.

The introduction of on-loan Leicester teenager Hamza Choudhury added a spark, although he completely scuffed his first sight at goal.

But City refused to be pushed back and continued to stretch the pitch, Reid ruffling the yellow shirts with some old-fashioned wing play.

His cross threatened more havoc as it broke for Evans, who appeared to have his ankles tapped by Choudhury just inside the Burton box.

Referee Trevor Kettle, who had frustrated both sides throughout, saw nothing wrong – nor with McMahon's shot from the same move that caught Damien McCrory on the arm.

It proved third time lucky for City when the official did eventually point to the spot after Shane Cansdell-Sherriff handled a knockdown from the impressive Proctor.

But McLaughlin had an excellent spot-kick reputation in his City days – including one at Burton under Peter Taylor – and he gave the Kop a reminder by guessing correctly and diving to his left to keep out McMahon's low attempt.

From nearly being three up, City's back four made sure that lead was not halved as Stephen Darby delivered another timely block from Akins' snap shot.

Cansdell-Sherriff was a lick of paint away with a header but nobody was going to spoil a game that restored the faith around Valley Parade. A week is certainly a long time in football.

City: Williams 7, Darby 7, Burke 8, N Clarke 7, Meredith 7, McMahon 7, Evans 7, Cullen 8, Reid 8 (Marshall 89min), B Clarke 8, Proctor 9. Subs (not used): Routis, Knott, Morris, Leigh, Thomas, Cracknell.

Burton: McLaughlin 7, Edwards 6, Cansdell-Sherriff 6, Mousinho 6 (Flanagan 81min), McCrory 6, Naylor 6, Weir 5 (Choudhury 54min, 7), Butcher 6, Akins 6, Duffy 6, Beavon 5 (Bennett 81min). Subs (not used): Charles, Reilly, Harness, Bywater.

Referee: Trevor Kettle (Rutland).

Attendance: 17,500.

Bookings: Meredith (City); McCrory, Edwards, Beavon (Burton).

Shots on target: City 5 Burton 3; shots off target: 6 6; corners: 6 6; fouls committed: 18 19.