Burton Albion travelled to Meadow Lane and took a first-half lead through Finn Delap's first senior goal, but left empty-handed after Notts County's second-half response, which included a red card for Curtis Tilt.

Vice-Captain George Evans said the Brewers knew a reaction was coming from the hosts but failed to manage the game effectively after the break. "It's frustrating," Evans said. "You get one-up away from home and you just need to manage the game better. We knew there was going to be a reaction at half-time, but we just didn't get to grips with that and we didn't handle it as well today."

Strong Start Wasted

Evans praised Burton's opening 45 minutes and the position they held at the interval. "We started well, Finn's got a great goal and we go ahead away from home. We're going in at 1-0 at half-time, so you're in a great spot. We just needed to kill the game in the second half."

The midfielder took responsibility for the players' inability to navigate County's pressure. "As players, once over that white line, we've got to figure that out. I need to take responsibility to get to grips with the press and manage the game a little bit, so I'll look back at what I can do better."

Delap's Milestone and Tilt's Dismissal

Evans expressed delight at Delap opening his senior account. "Delighted for Finn. He's been fantastic for us and he's got a great goal today. He's a great lad and a great player, so hopefully that's the first of many."

On Tilt's red card, shown after a challenge that also resulted in a penalty, Evans said: "I'll have to see it back. In real time, the emotions run high, I still don't know if it was a penalty. Curtis is a fantastic defender for us. He always gives 100 per cent."

Support and Looking Forward

More than 1,100 Burton supporters travelled to Meadow Lane. Evans highlighted their contribution: "It makes a hell of a difference. We get one-up in the game, go in to cheers at half-time, and to share that with the fans means a lot."

Burton face AFC Wimbledon on Wednesday night. Evans called for a swift response: "We've got to be positive. We've got to react. I think that's the main thing from today. We've got to keep building and getting better and better. We need to look back on the video, make sure it doesn't happen again, but we've got to be positive because we've had a good start."