Top-of-the-pile Boro allowed Burton Albion off the hook last night after having the upper hand for most of the contest.

The visitors took the lead on 26 minutes when Dicky Gardner latched onto an Ian Muir cross to fire home from the edge of the penalty box via a deflection off Albion defender Matt Smith.

Only a goal-line clearance from Muir's close range shot and a superb save from Albion keeper Nick Goodwin had prevented Boro taking the lead earlier, but the home side bounced back with a string of efforts.

After the break Boro began to stamp their authority on the game and came desperately close to doubling their lead when a Gardner cross was intercepted on route to the unmarked Muir.

But against the run of play it was Albion who found the net.

David Holmes, who is becoming somewhat of a Boro bogeyman after netting against them in the FA Cup tie a few weeks ago, found something special again with his 64th minute strike flying into the net from30 yards.

After that either side could have won it, with Shaun Wray spawning a golden opportunity for Boro from six yards, while, at the other end Albion nearly stole all the points when Pat Lyons capitalised on some indecisive defending to force a save from Robbie Wood.