Late goals hands Scotland win
Captain Darren Fletcher set up Scotland's first goal
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Saturday, 08, Sep 2007 05:34
Scotland wrapped up a deserved 3-1 home win over Lithuania thanks to late goals from Stephen McManus and James McFadden.
Lithuania had cancelled out Kris Boyd's opener through a dubious Tomas Danilevicus penalty, but some inspired substitutions from Alex McLeish sealed the Euro 2008 qualifying victory.
The home team had started the better at a typically vociferous Hampden Park; fully aware that three points were essential ahead of Wednesday's trip to group B leaders France.
Lee McCulloch had the first chance of the game after Garry O'Connor's corner flick on fell kindly to him, but his header lacked the power or direction to beat Zydrunas Karcemarskas in the Lithuanian goal.
Just past the half hour mark though recalled Rangers striker Boyd broke the deadlock when he nodded captain Darren Fletcher's clever free-kick in at the near post.
Lithuania came roaring out of the blocks after the restart in comparison to their tepid opening performance, and on 61 minutes they were rewarded for their newfound attacking intent, albeit in scandalous circumstances.
A shameless dive by Saulius Mikoliunas was rewarded with a penalty by Slovenian referee Damir Skomina, who had failed all afternoon to cotton on to the Lithuanian playacting.
Danilevicus sent Craig Gordon the wrong way to tie the game, prompting McLeish to haul off O'Connor, McCulloch and Gary Teale in a staggered substitution for attacking trio Craig Beattie, Shaun Maloney and James McFadden.
The impact was almost instantaneous; as Maloney used his first touch to deliver a fizzing cross for former Celtic team-mate Stephen McManus to power past the hapless Karcemarskas.
Not to be outdone, Everton forward McFadden made the three points safe with a powerful 20-yard drive on 83 minutes.