Simpson deserved his slice of luck – boss

MILD disappointment was mixed with pragmatism as Athletic made it through to the second round of the FA Cup for the first time in four seasons.

Another goal from the boot of talisman Shefki Kuqi – an 11th in 15 games – came from the penalty spot in the fourth minute, as visitors Burton imploded at Boundary Park.

Defender Ryan Austin was sent off for his part in hauling down Robbie Simpson to hand Athletic their first spot-kick.

Kuqi failed with a second penalty, in only the sixth minute, as the npower League Two club’s goalkeeper Ross Atkins saved well to his right in a madcap opening to the first-round tie.

Simpson then benefited from a catastrophic fumble by Atkins to register his first goal in Athletic colours and a third from Dean Furman effectively wrapped up the contest before half-time.

Former Athletic front man Calvin Zola pulled one back as Paul Peschisolido’s side regrouped and battled gamely in a second period in which Athletic collectively took their foot off the accelerator.

While the missing intensity irked manager Paul Dickov, he was still happy to make knock-out progress for the second time in five days.

“In the first half they went down to 10 men and we got three goals,” said Dickov, who made three changes to the starting line-up which saw off Crewe in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday.

“After that, we didn’t have any tempo to our game. We had a lot of time on the ball and as we get more experience in these situations we will realise we have to move the ball from side to side, as we did in the first half.

“The second half was a bit flat. But you have to give Burton credit. Paul (Peschisolido) should be proud of his lads as they gave him everything they’ve got.

“It doesn’t matter if you play four passes or 24 passes before the final ball. You have to work the other team and we didn’t do that enough in the second half.

“In saying that, I have won my first FA Cup-tie as a manager. It is all about getting into the next round and that is what we have done.”

Simpson’s goal was a free-kick from 35 yards which looked to hold no danger for Atkins.

Hit down the ‘keeper’s throat, the Burton custodian took his eye off the ball and let it squirm from his grasp and over the goalline, rewarding the on-loan Huddersfield striker for his excellent recent form.

“You make your own luck sometimes and with Robbie’s performances over the last three or four games, he has deserved his goal,” added Dickov.

“He has been excellent and we have always told him not to worry about it.

“With him being a forward and with the attitude he has got, he wants to do well in every single game.

“If his performances were the same and he wasn’t scoring, I was always happy.

“But now he is off the mark and he deserves it.”