Late goals save Scottish blushes

Faroe Islands 2, Scotland 2 (result)

Second-half goals from captain Paul Lambert and his deputy Barry Ferguson spared Scotland their greatest-ever humiliation.

Those goals were needed to cancel out Faroe Islands striker John Peterson’s two early strikes but the manager Berti Vogts still began the Euro 2004 qualification trail with a setback nonetheless.

Crainey was close with a free-kick before Faroes substitute Rogvi Jacobsen passed up an excellent chance to wrap up the match by firing wide after Weir had slipped while attempting to deal with a cross.

The Scots made full use of that let-off with an 83rd-minute equaliser from Ferguson, who poked home after Crawford had got a touch on a ball into the box from Crainey.

The Scots had been spared their worst-ever humiliation.

Steven Thompson came on for Dobie with six minutes to go but there was still time for two very nervous moments for the Scots.

Hjalgirm Ettor and substitute Andrew Flotum were both crowded out in goalmouth scrambles in which anything could have happened.