Perch nets as McCall’s boys stun Brewers
STUART McCALL hailed Scunthorpe’s desire and commitment as his side booked a place in the second round of the FA Cup at the expense of League One rivals Burton.
Goals from James Perch and Lee Novak set the Iron on course for victory and though the Brewers’ Liam Boyce got one back 11 minutes from time, the hosts held on to bring to an end a six-game winless run.
“It’s great to get back to winning football games, it’s been a long time,” said McCall.
“By hook or by crook, whatever way we did it, we had to find a way to win.”
Both Scunthorpe goals came as a result of defensive mistakes by the visitors.
Keeper Bradley Collins seemed to be wrong-footed by a curling George Thomas free-kick in the 16th minute and when he could only get one hand on the ball, Perch nodded his side in front.
They doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark when Novak seized on a poor defensive header by Damien McCrory and fired in his sixth goal of the campaign.
Burton were better after the break and only a smart double save by keeper Jak Alnwick to keep out substitute David Templeton and then Boyce kept the hosts in control.
Not to be denied, Boyce did drive the ball home from inside the penalty area with 11 minutes to play, but the Brewers – despite plenty of late pressure – could not force a replay.
“I’ve seen Burton three times this season and they are as good as anything in this league,” said McCall.
“Jak Alnwick pulled off two outstanding saves and we were under the cosh for long periods.
“It was a gritty, hardfought victory and when you’re going through a run of disappointing results like we have been recently, a win like this lifts everything.” Burton boss Nigel Clough said: “You only get one chance in the FA Cup and you can’t waste 45 minutes.
“That’s the reason we’re out – that and the fact we gave two pathetic goals away.
“In terms of the tempo of our play and the chances we’ve created, the first half was nowhere near the level we’ve shown in the league.
“The last words I said to the players before they went out were that there’s a very fine line between confidence and complacency.”