Scotland's U21s began their 2011 European Championship qualifying campaign with a 1-0 win over Albania.
Maguire strike enough to earn three points in Albania
Scotland's U21s began their 2011 European Championship qualifying campaign with a 1-0 win over Albania.
Chris Maguire was the hero for Billy Stark's side as he stepped of the bench to grab the only goal of the game.
The Aberdeen striker entered proceedings after 68 minutes and 18 minutes later bagged all three points as he dusted himself off after being felled by goalkeeper Shpetim Mocka to coolly convert from the spot.
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 post.
The keeper was tested again a minute later as Enco Malindi let fly from 23 yards but Martin did well to hold.
The Scotland No.1 was again called into action in the 10th minute when he brilliantly tipped over Ditmar Bicaj's header from an Erando Karabeci cross.
Battled
From the corner, Renato Malotaj went close when he headed a Hyka centre over the crossbar from close range.
But Scotland battled back into the game as Jamie Murphy's cross was headed down by Barry Bannon and Mocka had to save at the feet of David Goodwillie.
Hyka looked to have opened the scoring when he flicked the ball over Martin but it ended up on the top of the net.
Goodwillie was then in the thick of the action after good work from Murphy had sent him through on goal but Mocka was off his line quickly to make a crucial block challenge.
Murphy should have done better after 21 minutes when Bannon found him with a free-kick but the young striker's header was saved well again by Mocka.
The man with the gloves should have been beaten in the 26th minute by Andrew Shinnie when he headed Bannon'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.
Ragged
Goodwillie again missed a brilliant chance for Scotland before half-time when he headed Bannon's centre wide from six yards.
Albania started to look ragged and they needed a save from Mocka from Shinnie at the start of the half to keep them level.
Goodwillie again found space in the area but he pulled his shot wide, which was a huge let-off for the men in red shirts, who again survived in the 78th minute.
Paul Hanlon timed his run perfectly at the back post and headed Maguire's corner towards the corner of the 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 fired low past Mocka from the spot.
