NEIL Redfearn defended himself - and his players - after they sunk to the foot of the table.

Vics were well beaten by Burton, but their under-fire manager was unpeturbed by the first signs of discontent towards him from the Danebank.

"They'll call for my head but I'll stick by these players," he told the Guardian afterwards.

"I won't let them beat themselves up after their performance today, they showed the endeavour I've been asking for."

Vics were the better side for the opening quarter hour before the Brewers assumed control.

A goal then could have changed the game, according to Redfearn.

"If we score first I'm confident we could have got something from the game," he said.

"The players can't let their heads drop, we've got to keep plugging away.

"I thought we played as much football on the deck tonight as we have all season.

"It's disappointing we haven't won, but they are a decent side and will do what they've done to us to many other teams in this division."