Bowyer inspires Burton with all-conquering Warriors

Gary Bowyer guided Dundee to promotion to the Scottish Premiership in his last job

Burton Albion boss Gary Bowyer says he used the example of rugby league giants who Wigan Athletic share their stadium with to inspire Burton Albion to a milestone first victory against the Latics on Tuesday.

The 53-year-old had overseen three draws and three defeats in his first six matches since taking the helm of the League One strugglers on 17 December.

Tuesday's breakthrough win under the former Dundee and Blackburn Rovers boss lifted the Brewers off the bottom of the table on goal difference.

Bowyer said he used their surroundings - The Brick Community Stadium - as motivation, as he mixed work with his sporting passion to try to conjure three points.

"I know it's the home of Wigan Athletic but its also the home of Wigan Warriors," Bowyer told BBC Radio Derby.

"And that got mentioned in the team meeting. I'm a big rugby league fan and Wigan Warriors is my team.

"We asked the lads to come and be warriors and to stand up and enjoy that physical battle and I thought we did that tonight."

While Burton battle to avoid relegation from the third tier, Bowyer held up the all-conquering Wigan Warriors as a side whose "qualities" he wants his team to emulate.

Warriors claimed every trophy available to them last season, completing the rare quadruple by winning the World Club Challenge, Challenge Cup, League Leaders' Shield and Grand Final in 2024.

Burton are a side looking to avoid the drop, having already gone out of every cup competition before the turn of the year.

Jon Dadi Bodvarsson's first goal for Burton and a second-half strike from Rumarn Burrell was enough to earn Burton just their second win in 14 matches dating back more than two months.

When asked if he thought the win was "a launchpad" in their battle to remain in the division, Bowyer relied: "It has to be.

"We said in there (changing room), enjoy tonight, and they should with the efforts they gave and how they threw their bodies on the line in the end, but we can't get too excited and start giving ourselves love bites and pats on the back," he continued.

"We have got to come into work again on Thursday ready for a Rotherham team that has been in fine form."