Wanderers were defeated 3-0 away at Burton Albion in Sky Bet League One on Saturday afternoon.
Jake Beesley’s brace either side of Fabio Tavares’ goal proved decisive as Wanderers were beaten on their travels to the Pirelli Stadium.
Steven Schumacher made three changes from the 2-1 home win over Peterborough United as Aaron Morley, Ibrahim Cissoko and Sam Dalby all came into the starting line-up.
Wanderers almost led within the opening two minutes when Dalby raced onto George Johnston’s clipped pass to round goalkeeper Brad Collins, only for Finn Delap to clear his strike off the line.
The Whites continued to threaten in Staffordshire, when positive build-up play saw Max Conway deliver an enticing cross for Dalby to tee up Mason Burstow, with his header caught by Collins.
Burton’s first chance of the contest came just after the 15th minute mark, when Delap headed Kyran Lofthouse’s free-kick over Teddy Sharman-Lowe's crossbar.
Midway through the half, Amario Cozier-Duberry cut inside from the right to cross with the outside of his boot, which was met by Dalby, who steered his right-footed effort wide.
Wanderers were behind on 26 minutes when Conway was adjudged to have fouled Charlie Webster in the box. Up-stepped Beesley, who sent Sharman-Lowe the wrong way, with his right-footed spot-kick finding the bottom left-corner.
Having gone in front, Gary Bowyer’s Brewers aimed for a second. Webster dispossessed Xavier Simons to play in Fabio Tavares, but Chris Forino bravely threw himself in the way of the shot to clear.
Searching for a leveller, Johnston’s ball up field was flicked on by Dalby which Cissoko chased onto on the left, who flashed a first-time strike from a tight angle across goal and narrowly wide of Collins’ bottom right-post.
In first-half stoppage time, Wanderers were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position after Godwin-Malife brought down Cissoko. Morely’s resulting set-piece could not beat the wall, and the Whites went into the break behind.
Burton extended their advantage three minutes into the half. Beesley won possession and moved the ball onto Dylan Williams on the left, his cross was met by Tavares in the box, who was denied by Sharman-Lowe at the first attempt before placing his follow-up into the bottom right-corner.
At the other end, substitute Marcus Forss’ snapshot was held by Collins after the forward profited from Burstow’s ball.
Sharman-Lowe was called into action to keep out Delap’s header from Alex Hartridge’s long throw into a crowded box.
Forss went close for Wanderers minutes later, striking a low left-footed drive from 20-yards which crept past Collins’ far post.
Wanderers continued to press at Burton, with Morley’s free-kick falling to Conway at the back post but his through ball was defended well, with John McAtee ready to pounce.
McAtee then curled inches wide after being found by Cozier-Duburry, which was deflected behind. Morley’s corner was met by Forino, who powered a header at goal which was palmed away to safety by Collins.
Tavares nearly scored his second and Burton’s third of the contest, when he got behind Wanderers defence, but he lifted his effort over.
Burstow was then thwarted by Collins’ header from Cozier-Duburry's cross, whilst Joe Randall was also denied.
Burton’s third came in the fourth minute of additional time when Beesley scored his second, latching onto Lofthouse’s ball to beat the advancing Sharman-Lowe to tap into the net.
Attention now turns to a trip to Huddersfield Town on Thursday night, kick-off 8pm.
Burton Albion: Collins, Godwin-Malife, Delap, Hartridge, Lofthouse, Williams (Taroni 90+7), Chauke, Armer, Webster (Krubally 90+7), Beesley (Williamson 90+7), Tavares (McKiernan 79). Substitutes not used: Dudek, Akoto
Booked: Godwin-Malife
Wanderers: Sharman-Lowe, Christie (Dacres-Cogley 65), Forino, Johnston (C), Conway (Taylor 80), Cozier-Duburry, Simons, Morley (Randall 80), Cissoko (Forss 45), Dalby (McAtee 65), Burstow. Substitute not used: Miller, Osei-Tutu
Booked: Cissoko