Albania U21 0 - 1 Scotland U21: Maguire on the spot to win it for young Scots

Craig Forbes in Elbasan
Maguire Pen 85
CHRIS Maguire came off the bench to get Scotland's youngsters off to a flying start in their European Championship campaign.

The Aberdeen striker was thrown on after 68 minutes and just 17 minutes later had bagged all three points for Billy Stark's side in their opening Group 10 game in Elbasan. Maguire scored from the spot after being felled by goalkeeper Shpetim Mocka in the box.

Stark was understandably thrilled with the result and said he could not wait for Wednesday's return match with Albania. Stark believes his men got what they deserved and is looking forward to the second part of the double-header at Falkirk Stadium next week.

He said: "I was happy with the performance and result. Maybe it was better than I thought but we will get stronger and better. This gives us so much confidence and Wednesday can't come quickly enough now."

Albania looked a strong outfit from the off and went close after just two minutes when Emilian Vila's shot looped off star man Jahmir Hyka and Alan Martin had to save under his bar.

The keeper was tested again a minute later as Enco Malindi let fly from 23 yards but Martin did well to hold.

The former Motherwell keeper, currently on loan at Conference side Barrow from Leeds, was again called into action in the 10th minute when he brilliantly tipped over Ditmar Bicaj's header from an Erando Karabeci cross.

But Scotland battled back into the game as Jamie Murphy's cross was headed down by Barry Bannan and keeper Mocka had to save at the feet of David Goodwillie.

Mocka should have been beaten in the 26th minute by Andrew Shinnie when he headed Bannan's free-kick wide with nobody near him. Murphy again got behind the Albania defence in the 38th minute after a wonderful run and pass by Goodwillie but he screwed his shot wide of the far post even though the referee gave a corner.

Albania started to look ragged and they needed a save from Mocka from Shinnie again at the start of the half to keep them level.

The home side survived in the 78th minute when Paul Hanlon timed his run perfectly at the back post and headed Maguire's corner towards goal and Mocka again made a superb save. But Maguire changed the game after taking a Caddis pass around the keeper, forcing him to make a lunge that brought the forward to ground. The referee pointed to the spot and Maguire dusted himself off to fire low past Mocka from the spot.

Albania U21: Mocka, Arbri, Malotaj, Biqaj, Veliu, Lilaj (Cela 75), Karabeci (Filipi 65), Vila , Malindi (Shehaj 83), Januzi, Hyka. Subs not used: Hoxha, Thana, Hyshmeri, Troqaj.

Scotland U21: Martin, Hanlon, Caddis, Scobbie, Mitchell, Arfield, Shinnie, McDonald, Murphy (Maguire 67), Goodwillie, Bannan (Loy 89). Subs not used: Gallacher, Fleck, McGinn, Gray, McAusland.

Attendance: 1,600

Taken from the Scotsman