Hasselbaink hails Burton belief

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The Brewers won 3-2 at Cambridge, having trailed 2-1 with 10 men after the sending off of goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin. Phil Edwards’ stunning effort from long range and Kevin Stewart’s late winner secured the League Two crown.

“We wanted to do it, we didn’t want other people not to win,” Dutchman Hasselbaink said after the game, referring to the fact Shrewsbury could have won the title had his side not won.

“We wanted to come here and put our stamp on the game, we wanted to come here and win.

“That’s why when we went (down) to 10 men we kept on going. We kept on believing.

“It’s been an amazing season, it’s been 30 matches since I’ve come in and this was the first match that we’ve had two goals against.

“That gives you an amazing platform; you’re hard to beat, disciplined, and playing football when we can, when we are going forward we are looking very dangerous. This was no different.

“I’m very proud because they have guts, you have to have guts to be able to do that and to believe.

“You have to work a little bit harder because you have one less, and we did that. They were hungry, their bellies were not full yet and now they go home satisfied.

“They showed immense character and you need that to be a successful team.”

Cambridge head coach Richard Money believed the game reflected the club’s season as a whole.

The U’s end their first campaign back in the Football League in 19th place, 10 points above the relegation zone.

“I think the afternoon pretty much encapsulates the season,” Money said.

“There was a lot of promise, but in the end we were found wanting in key areas at key moments.

“You could say they responded like champions do and they’re obviously a good team, but to lose the game from where we were at 2-1 is disappointing and shouldn’t happen.

“We’ve conceded too many goals at poor times in too many key areas.

“It’s been a massive learning curve for a group of people, who in the main have never played Football League football before.

“Whatever happened here, people have to remember where this club has come from in the last two years and it’s down to this group of players in the main.

“Even if it had finished 2-2 I think it would have been all the more sweet at the end, but the crowd responded terrifically at the final whistle.

“It pretty much closes the chapter, which is the first chapter in what we hope is going to be a very exciting book.”