Altrincham 0-2 Burton Albion
The FA Cup with Budweiser
First Round Proper
7.45pm, Wednesday 14 November 2012
Moss Lane, Altrincham FC
Winning clubs receive £18,000 from The FA's prize fund
Click here for all the upcoming FA Cup ties

Chris Palmer and Calvin Zola scored the crucial goals to help Burton book their place in The FA Cup Second Round.

The Brewers almost crashed out of the competition eleven days ago when they were held to a 3-3 draw at home. They must have feared the replay was heading into extra-time after a goalless first half.

But Palmer eased the nerves of the League Two side when he netted a superb free-kick from 30-yards. Zola then scored from close-range to set up a tie with Crewe in the next round.

All credit must go to Conference North Altrincham for putting up such a battling display over the two games. And they would have enjoyed playing in front of the televised cameras at Moss Lane on Thursday night.

It could have been a different story had they taken the lead after just eight minutes when Damian Reeves fired the ball just over the bar.

But Burton also had their chances in the first half to break the deadlock and Zola saw his header cannon back off the bar.

The deadlock was finally broken on 65 minutes after Maghoma was brought down ten yards from the home side's area.

Palmer showed all his quality when he curled a wonder free-kick which flew past Altrincham keeper Stuart Coburn into the top corner.

Altrincham refused to lie down and almost grabbed an equaliser on 70 minutes when Jake Moult saw his shot well saved by Burton keeper Mark Oxley.

But Zola ensured Burton's place in the Second Round when he scored the decisive second on 75 minutes.

Taylor broke away down the right hand side and made his way to the byeline before cutting the ball back for Zola who made no mistake striking the ball home from close-range.

Altrincham
1 Coburn, 2 Leather, 3 Doughty, 5 Havern, 6 Hall, 4 Richman, 8 Moult, 7 Watmore (Brooke, 79), 9 Lawrie, 10 Reeves, 11 Clee (12 Lacey,79)
Subs not used 18 Reid, 16 Grimshaw, 12 Lacey, 15 Mitchley

Burton Albion
30 Oxley, 5 Diamond, 20 O'Connor, 21 Holness, 7 Taylor 8 Weir, (6 McGrath, 84), 11 Palmer, 14 McCrory, 19 Maghoma (15 Palmer, 90), 23 Bell, 10 Zola (29 Kee, 84)
Subs: 16 Lyness, 04 Stanton, 22 Dyer, 18 Paterson

Attendance 2428

Referee Carl Boyeson