League One strugglers Burton Albion found some much-needed FA Cup relief as Tomas Kalinauskas’ first goal in English football secured a narrow win over National League North side Scarborough Athletic.
Albion dominated the first half and were handed a gilt-edged chance to boost their confidence when Bailey Gooda felled Jack Cooper-Love to earn the Brewers a spot-kick in the 27th minute.
But Seadogs goalkeeper Ryan Whitley produced some cup heroics to save Cooper-Love’s effort with his feet and keep the sides level.
Burton continued to threaten and were denied by the flag of an assistant when Ben Whitfield flicked the ball home from close range just before half time.
The non-leaguers were struggling to assert any pressure on the Burton goal with a Luca Colville free-kick just before the break their best opportunity of the half.
Albion rang the changes early in the second half and it paid off with a little over 20 minutes to go when Lithuanian winger Kalinauskas seized on a loose ball in the Scarborough box to leave Whitley flat-footed as his shot found the bottom corner.
Substitute Lewis Maloney whipped a free-kick onto the top of the crossbar as the National League North side looked to grab an equaliser and Albion saw Danilo Orsi’s curing shot come back off the post as the game entered its closing stages.
Report supplied by PA Media.
