Chris Maguire was the hero from the bench as Scotland's youngsters got off to a flying start to their European Championship campaign.

The Aberdeen striker came on after 68 minutes and just 18 minutes later had bagged all three points for Billy Stark's kids in their opening Group 10 game.

Maguire scored from the spot after being felled by goalkeeper Shpetim Mocka in the box.

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 number one was again called into action in the 10th minute when he brilliantly tipped over Ditmar Bicaj's header from a Erando Karabeci cross.

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 keeper Shpetim 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.

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 dusted himself off to fire low past Mocka from the spot.