Lee McEvilly came off the bench at Burton to make a huge impact by scoring both the 78th minute penalty and the 84th minute equalising free kick after Burton seemed to have grasped the advantage in the Play-off Semi-finals.

"Last time I did a free kick like that I was 16 or 17 but that's football and I always knew what the outcome of the shot was going to be," he stated confidently.

"I'd picked myself up a bit with the first goal, and I was always going to take that penalty - even if (regular penalty taker) Lee Boylan had been on the pitch he would have needed a lot of bottle to take the ball off me!

"My confidence is a bit down at the minute but no-one will knock me. I just need to do what I'm here for - to get the goals that get us up.

"People could say I changed things when I came on but it's not just me," added the big Scouser. "The lads played football and got their heads down and worked for that result, and their heads didn't drop at two-nil."

Referring to the support enjoyed by United players throughout the match, McEvilly said, "We are always one-nil up before we run out thanks to the fans and their support. It fills us with confidence, so once the penalty went in, and with us attacking their end, the pressure was always going to mount on Burton and we could have won it at the end."

Nigel Clough aired his disappointment at the officiating that led to the United penalty and free kick, but McEvilly had a different view: "I know they're moaning about the referee but I thought he was on their side. The penalty he gave against us was an atrocious decision and I think that's why he gave ours for the handball, to even it up."

Looking ahead to Tuesday's second leg, Lee feels the home support will have a huge part to play in the result.

Many home areas of the ground are already sold out or almost sold out, and he commented, "We'll go into the game as favourites and we might as well go into the game one-nil up thanks to the support.

"They can make it so difficult for Burton just by doing what they did tonight. They didn't drop the support when we were two down and there is no other support in the league who would do that."

Interview by David Gray

The second leg at the Trade Recruitment Stadium (kick-off 7.30pm) is all-ticket and advance purchase is necessary. The Ticket Office will be open for ticket sales between 10am and 3pm on Bank Holiday Monday and from 9am on Tuesday until 5pm.

The only tickets now remaining are a few hundred in the Habbin South terrace and some restricted view seats in the Main Stand. The latter are discounted by £1 across the board.

[Match report] [Fixture list] [League table]

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