Jack Burroughs proved to be the pivotal man at the Pirelli as his second-half strike helped the Sky Blues to victory over the Brewers in FA Youth Cup action.
The Sky Blues began the game on the front-foot - with thanks to winger Jack Burroughs who will still be reeling after being offered a professional contract upon expiration of his scholarship at the end of this season.
Burroughs was the main man for City with the bulk of the attacking play coming through him, and the build-up to the goal was no different.
He picked the ball up on the right wing and beat his full-back for pace and strength and earned a corner for the Sky Blues. The delivery was deep and Albion failed to clear the danger with the ball eventually falling to Sam McCallum who smashed his shot through a crowd of players and underneath Oliver Fairbrother in the Brewers net.
The Sky Blues had their tails up and nearly made their dominance count. A superb, defence-splitting ball out from the centre of defence from Josh Endall found William Bapaga as he was bearing down on goal. Following a slip from his marker, Bapaga chopped inside of the covering defender and unleashed a shot that deflected out for a corner kick.
For all of City's dominance, the Brewers kept fighting back and managed to carve out a chance for themselves after some neat interplay between Clamp and Hart on the right wing. Clamp eventually played Hart in-behind the defence, but with his angle narrowing at every moment he managed to get a shot off that was well matched by Tom Billson who palmed the ball away from danger.
The Sky Blues ended the first half nervy and were lucky to find themselves in front at the break. A great double save from Billson denied Clamp and Melhado, whilst minutes later Clamp - who was clean through on goal - smashed his effort wide of the front post.
HALF-TIME: Burton Albion U18 0 - 1 Sky Blues U18
It only took two minutes for the Brewers to find themselves back on level terms as they picked up in the second half where they left off in this first.
Kyle Clamp was played through on goal - similar to his chance in the first half - but this time he opted to slot the ball underneath the on-rushing Billson and into the back of the Sky Blues net to level up the scores.
City were back on the attack and slightly unfortunate not to have the chance to go ahead once again from the spot. Bapaga had the ball at his feet and the defender in his sights, and as he attacked, the forward went down under a challenge, yet, the referee waved away the protests and rewarded the Sky Blues with a corner.
The Sky Blues found themselves back in the lead minutes later and with 20 minutes left to play. Jonathan Ngandu played a wonderful ball over the top of the Brewers defence for Burroughs to run onto. The winger took the touch in his stride as he knocked it past the last defender and slipped it through the legs of the on-rushing Fairbrother.
With minutes left on the clock, Tom Hewlett entered the field of play and was right in amongst it straight away. He arrowed a teasing ball to the back post for Regan Ganley to meet and head just over Billson's bar for the hosts.
Depsite a late flurry of attacks from Albion, the Sky Blues stood tough as they march on to the second round of the FA Youth Cup.
FULL-TIME: Burton Albion U18 1 - 2 Sky Blues U18
Sky Blues Xl: Billson (GK), B. Rowe, McCallum, L. Rowe (C), White, Endall ('51), Burroughs, Hunt, Crowther ('79), Bapaga, Ngandyu
Subs: Tyler (GK), Martin, Lautaru ('79), Whitmore ('51), Costa
Burton Albion Xl: Fairbrother (GK), Lal, Armitage ('89), Bromfield, Cooke, Ganley, Hart, Melhado (C), Clamp, Vale ('75), Mallass ('81)
Subs: Smith (GK), Morley ('81), Hewlett ('89), Gilligan ('75), Shittu
Yellows: Malhado '58, Clamp '63
Goals: McCallum '14, Clamp '47, Burroughs '69