Liam Boyce’s hat-trick sent last season’s semi-finalists Burton into the third round of this season’s EFL Cup courtesy of a comfortable 4-0 victory over League Two side Morecambe.
The Brewers could have been behind inside a minute but Kieran O’Hara did well to deny Shrimps forward Lewis Alessandra at close range before Albion’s attack put some serious pressure on the Morecambe goal.
Mark Halstead made a number of good saves to keep them out until the 34th minute, when he was unable to prevent Boyce from powerfully heading home a Scott Fraser corner.
Both Boyce and Lucas Akins were denied by Morecambe keeper Halstead before Boyce struck again on the stroke of half-time steering Oliver Sarkic’s cross home.
A blistering start to the second half saw the busy Halstead deny Akins once again before Ryan Edwards scored his first goal in a Burton shirt finishing off John Brayford’s low cross.
Kevin Ellison and Alessandra went close to getting Jim Bentley’s side back in the contest before Boyce completed his hat-trick to put the game to bed in the 74th minute
Halstead saved Akins’ header, before the Northern Ireland striker hooked in the rebound from close range to send last season’s semi-finalists into the next round.
BBC Sports.