Rough for Diamonds as Burton ease through in FA Cup

League One Burton avoided an FA Cup upset as they beat eighth-tier AFC Rushden & Diamonds 4-0 to progress to the second round.

Goals from Mark O’Mahony and Raphael Borges Rodrigues had Albion two up by half-time, before Charlie Webster and Zac Scutt secured progress for Gary Bowyer’s side after the break against the lowest-ranked side in the competition.

A professional defensive display from the Brewers denied evergreen striker Billy Sharp a 300th career goal.

As fog began to lift around the Pirelli Stadium, Burton set their sights on the Diamonds goal.

Borges Rodrigues proved a real handful for the Rushden defence, with a stinging shot midway through the first half proving too hot to handle for goalkeeper Charlie Woods and the ball dropped nicely for O’Mahony to tap in his second goal in as many home games.

The League One side doubled their lead less than 10 minutes later when Diamonds failed to clear Emeka Adiele’s cross and Borges Rodrigues pounced to thump the ball past Woods.

Freddie Findlay almost pulled one back early in the second half, forcing a good save from Corey Addai as the visitors attacked a raucous away end.

Webster added Burton’s third goal with quarter-of-an-hour to go. Woods got his hands to a swerving, dipping effort but could not hold on and prevent the ball crossing the line despite attempts to claw it back.

Scutt lashed in a fourth for Albion with the last kick of the game, latching onto Gbemi Arubi’s pass to complete the scoring.