Moulton Harrox beat Scotter United in the Lincolnshire Junior Cup
Moulton Harrox are off and running on another Lincolnshire Junior Cup adventure.
The multiple time winners and perennial finalists safely negotiated their opening round clash with Scotter United at Broad Lane on Saturday.
A second half penalty from Dec Earth eventually settled the tie against their Scunthorpe League Division One visitors.
However, it wasn't all plain sailing for Moulton who had goalkeeper Brendan Taylor sent off in the first half of the second round clash.
Liam Ivermee stepped into the goalkeeping breach and went on to keep a clean sheet as Moulton finally turned their dominance into a victory.
A minute silence was held ahead of kick-off in memory of former player Paul Gauntlett and club stalwart John Richardson.
Moulton were quick out of the blocks and swept forward to create a chance in the opening exchanges that Earth sent wide of the mark.
It was to be a common theme of the first period as Moulton carried the greater attacking threat but were unable to convert their opportunities.
Joe Townsend was wide of the mark after being picked out by a clever free kick from Earth before Louis Steadman fired a shot straight at the visiting keeper.
Townsend had another effort deflected into the arms of the custodian before Luke Gardner reacted well at the other end with a swift clearance to repel a Scotter raid.
Josh McGuire drifted another effort wide for Harrox who were then reduced to 10 men after 25 minutes when Taylor was dismissed after handling the ball outside his area.
The Harrox defensive well repelled the resultant free-kick with the referee's whistle then saving an under pressure Ivermee as Scotter swung the resultant corner right underneath the home crossbar.
Townsend was denied by a fine save from the visiting custodian after an excellent pass from Steadman before Ash Wilson sent a couple of further efforts wide as the first half finished goalless.
Earth was just wide with another effort after cutting inside and shooting shortly after the restart.
The visitors were then reduced to 10 men just before the hour mark when their striker collected a second caution following a foul.
The breakthrough then arrived for Moulton in the 66th minute as Ivermee's long clearance was missed by a Scotter defender and Earth raced clear before being brought down in the box.
He stepped up to convert the resultant spot kick to give Moulton a deserved lead but they continued to lack the cutting edge despite having the initiative.
Marcus Parry was inches away from connecting with a Steadman cross before the duo again combined well only to be denied by a last-ditch challenge.
Earth was thwarted by another tidy stop from the Scotter goalkeeper before Parry played in Steadman who sent a great chance over the crossbar.
The lack of a second goal always gave Scotter hope but, when the chance to equalise came their way late on following a long throw into the penalty area, they also spurned the opportunity as Harrox held out to move into the next round.