LIVE Alty 0 Burton Albion 0

After Saturday's disappointment, anything other than another defeat will do and a point against one of the best sides in the division is more than welcome.

There were very few clear-cut chances in the game and in the end a draw was probably the right result.

Both defences performed extremely well and despite threatening to self-destruct in injury time, The Robins' rearguard deserve an awful lot of credit.

Both Tinson and Shotton were superb and Alty's ability to keep the young Stoke defender on loan for another month will go a long way to determining their immediate fate.

Heathcote got his tactics right tonight and it's certainly the kind of result that can provide a platform for better things to come.

Injury time - Time added on threw up a few worrying moments for Alty and Acton was almost hero and villain.

The keeper made a quite brilliant save to stop a thumping effort from Corbett, diving full-stretch to his right to palm the ball away, but then almost threw the ball into his own net while trying to make a straightforward stop from Harrad.

Brayford also flashed a header wide of the post from McGrath's corner but the Robins held out.

90 mins - We've just had the two man of the match selections announced over the tannoy and the choices are a good indication of how this game's been played.

Shotton was the choice for Alty and Brayford for the visitors and it's hard to argue with either. Both have been a key part of their teams' rearguard effort.

85 mins - More change for Alty.

Joe O'Neill's come on up front for Senior and he'll provide a different option altogether - it might just be what's needed at this stage in the game.

Neither side has looked particularly likely to score though, both the defences are performing extremely well tonight. Considering Burton underwent widespread change before half time, it's credit to their back four that they've been able to keep the home side out.

80 mins - Heathcote's not about to go all-out for the win and although Potts has entered the fray, it's at the expense of Logan.

Strangely though, Potts has remained on the left flank rather than moving to his favoured position on the right of midfield.

It's still a very entertaining game, despite the lack of genuine goalscoring opportunities, although the men from Burton alongside me in the press box would beg to differ.

Difference in perspective I suppose.

75 mins - It's Pottsy time.

The talented Alty winger has just been stripping off in the dugout - hopefully not performing the full monty but readying himself to get out onto the pitch.

Alty did threaten to self-destruct just a minute ago when Shotton was caught out of position and as a result, Tinson was forced to send a rushed backpass to Acton. His clearance was sliced behind but luckily Burton couldn't take advantage from the corner.

Let's hope that was just a momentary lapse.

70 mins - Alty's defence are just being given a bit of a workout now.

Burton's forays into the final third are becoming more frequent and the men in red and white have had to put their bodies on the line to deal with some decent balls into the box.

The closest they came to scoring was when Webster's driving 20-yard run set up Clare, but his shot was straight at Acton.

65 mins - The linesman on the near flank has got to be the busiest man out there at the minute.

That's not to say the players aren't giving their all but this over-officious official seems determined to make his mark on the game.

Every few seconds his flag seems to shoot up and it's certainly not helping Graham Heathcote's blood pressure. The referee's just come over to ask him to calm down a little.

Still a cagey encounter though, poised on a knife's edge.

60 mins - Burton got their first sight of goal just a minute ago as Shotton's effort allowed Harrad a snapshot from the left.

It was easily held by Acton but that should just act as a reminder that defensive errors can not be afforded in this division.

Otherwise, it's been a pretty even half so far and if things stay the way they are, this is the kind of game that's set up for the arrival of Colin Potts.

55 mins - Darren Stride is showing the kind of commitment that has made him such a favourite at the Pirelli Stadium, his head denying Warren Peyton a possible opener.

The visiting skipper threw himself in the way of the Alty man's goalbound rocket after Poole had flapped unconvincingly at a Sedgemore free kick.

It may not have resulted in a goal but it's an encouraging sign all the same.

50 mins - The frenetic pace at which the game was being played at before the break hasn't lasted.

It's calmed down somewhat out on the pitch and both teams are just feeling each other out again, much as they did at the start of the match, searching for any weaknesses.

Second half - No changes made by either side at the break, although Burton only have one of their three subs left anyway.

With the rain still tipping down, the travelling fans have been granted respite under the roof of the Popular Side and it's actually helped them crank up the volume.

It's all set for a tense second half.

HALF TIME - A decent half for Alty.

Let's just hope this is not another platform for disappointment.

Too often the Robins have started impressively this season only to let silly errors cause goals and destroy confidence.

If they build on this and keep asking the Burton defence questions, they are almost certain to have some joy.

Everything has been built on a solid defensive effort, anchored by former Burton man Darren Tinson, but the goal threat has come from out wide, with Lawton working tirelessly on one flank and Logan providing trickery on the other.

Acton has barely been troubled and confidence is slowly returning to the players.

45 mins - Burton have been forced to do some serious reorganising before the half time whistle has even sounded.

Shaun Harrad had already come on for Ryan Taylor earlier in the half and now Dave Farrell has picked up a knock, meaning Tony James has been called on for his first appearance since the first day of the season.

It means James will partner Darren Stride at centre half, Brayford moves to right back, Corbett to right midfield and Goodfellow to the left flank.

Such a significant upheaval can only benefit the Robins.

40 mins - That was very, very close.

Just a few minutes ago, Alty created probably the best opening of the game, as Chris Senior went haring in behind a flat-footed Burton defence.

But just as the home fans were getting ready to celebrate the striker's third goal in four games, John Brayford made a superb challenge to stop him getting in an effort in on goal.

Alty are far less cautious than they were during the first half against Rushden on Saturday and so far it's reaping rewards, just not goals quite yet!

35 mins - Jake Sedgemore hasn't had much impact on the game so far but he just gave a glimpse of what he's capable of.

The former Burton man had Kevin Poole scrambling desperately across his goal with a beautiful free kick from 35 yards.

Unfortunately his effort flashed just wide of the right post but it was a warning for the high-flying visitors.

Colin Little also tested out Poole on this slippery surface, firing in a low shot that was well held by the experienced stopper.

The signs are good so far.

30 mins - Alty are just shading the game at the minute.

They're playing with more passion and more energy than their opponents, who, if truth be told, have been a bit disappointing so far.

Tinson and Shotton have been outstanding at the back, barely giving the deadly Daryl Clare a sniff, let's hope it stays that way.

25 mins - Logan is the man most likely for the Robins.

But despite looking a threat every time the ball's at his feet, he's yet to produce a decent end product. One exciting run ended with a wild shot over the bar.

Still, it's worth a go because he's giving Andy Corbett a torrid time at the moment. The full back had an awful game against Alty at the Pirelli Stadium last season and may prove to be a weak link again tonight.

20 mins - There still seem to be a few gremlins affecting the Messenger system so updates may take slightly longer to upload. Not exactly ideal when you're doing a live feed.

Anyway, after Burton's early spell of dominance the game has evened up quite a bit.

Alty are getting into the opposition's final third regularly enough but are yet to find that little bit of inspiration to unlock the defence.

The rain's now tipping down as well, making this a very difficult surface to judge. It was unpredictable enough on Saturday but now the ball is whizzing off the turf.

Should make for interesting viewing.

15 mins - A couple of glimpses of goal for either side as the two defences showed minor signs of frailty.

Burton were first to get in an effort on goal, Daryl Clare picking up a pass from Dave Farrell before pounding a venemous effort into the advertising hoardings to the left of Acton's goal.

Then it was the visitors' turn to experience a case of the jitters, just about scrambling away Tinson's flick on from a Sedgemore corner.

It's still goalless though.

10 mins - So far Darren Tinson has managed to ensure his old team haven't got close enough to the Alty goal to trouble Richard Acton.

Former Stoke winger Marc Goodfellow looks a handful but aside from a couple of balls into the box, Burton haven't done anything particularly notable in the final third.

5 mins - Burton are looking the most likely in the early stages.

Their passing and movement is sharp and they've spent much of the first five minutes in the Alty half.

It's a monumental task for Alty to get anything from this game, especially considering they have lost to Burton on all four occasions since returning to the Conference two seasons ago. Not the best of omens, I'm sure you'll agree!

7.45pm: The game gets underway, watched by a reasonable crowd at Moss Lane.

Burton have brought a sizeable away following, probably hoping to see their side extend their unbeaten run to 12 games. In fact, considering Alty's recent record, they probably expect nothing less.

7.30pm: Finally, after some technical difficulties, we're underway!

Graham Heathcote has made just two changes to the side that lost 2-1 against Rushden and Diamonds on Saturday.

One of them is enforced, with the injured Val Owen being replaced by Jake Sedgemore in the centre of the park.

The other is indicative of a more attacking approach, Carlos Logan replacing Pat McFadden on the left wing.

Stuart Coburn is kept out of the team by Richard Acton on his return from injury and will have to settle for a place on the bench.

It's a fair call from Heathcote, as Acton has been solid since being called upon against Cambridge United three weeks ago.

Alty (4-4-2): Acton; Lane, Tinson, Shotton, Scott; Lawton, Sedgemore, Peyton, Logan; Little, Senior. Subs: Potts, O'Neill, Munroe, Coburn, McFadden.

Burton (4-4-2): Poole; Corbett, Brayford, Stride, Webster; Goodfellow, Gooding, McGrath, Farrell; Taylor, Clare. Subs: James, Edwards, Harrad, Austin, Aiston.