Cambridge were relegated as Dylan Williams’ first league goal for Burton put them on the brink of League One safety after a 2-1 win, with both sides finishing with 10 men.

Albion still need a point to be mathematically sure of safety but with a far superior goal difference to both Bristol Rovers and Crawley, Gary Bowyer’s side are essentially safe.

A nervy first period from both sides resulted in a paucity of clear chances with so much at stake.

Jack Stevens in the Cambridge goal had to scramble across his line to deal with Owen Dodgson’s free-kick and the Burton wing back also saw a free-kick skew off the head of a Cambridge defender and land inches wide of the post.

The game came to life with two red cards in the space of a couple of minutes in first half added time.

Substitute Ryan Loft was shown a straight red for lashing out at Udoka Godwin-Malife after an altercation on the touchline and Burton’s JJ McKiernan followed him down the tunnel moments later picking up a second yellow for an aerial challenge on Stevens.

Albion got the breakthrough three minutes after half time with Jon Daddi Bodvarsson picking up Williams’ pass and firing home his first goal since January.

Burton could not find a second to kill the game and Cambridge responded with an equaliser when Elias Kachunga poked home at the back post.

But Albion were not to be denied as Williams was fed by substitute Fabio Tavares after good work from Anthony Forde and the Chelsea loanee slid the ball in from a tight angle.