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Scotland strike late to secure draw against Lithuania

James McArthur equalised in the dying moments for Scotland.
James McArthur equalised in the dying moments for Scotland.

Scotland struck late to secure avoid a humiliating defeat against Lithuania, with James McArthur’s header securing a 1-1 draw in their World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park.

Lithuania looked to be on course to take all three points after netting midway through the second-half courtesy of Fiodor Cernych, however McArthur’s late header rescued a point.

The failure to take full points against the lowly-ranked Lithuanians is still a blow to Scotland’s hopes of qualifying for the finals in Russia, with Tuesday’s match against Slovakia now taking on added significance.

Scotland had got their qualifying campaign off to a perfect start with their 5-1 away victory against Malta the previous month, so it came as no surprise manager Gordon Strachan named an unchanged side for the visit of Lithuania.

Scotland’s early threat came from set-pieces, with their first effort coming on three minutes when Matt Ritchie’s free-kick from the wide left was nodded wide of the far post by defender Grant Hanley. Ritchie supplied another fine delivery on 13 minutes, with Callum Paterson glancing a header wide of target.

Robert Snodgrass was full of confidence after netting a hat-trick in the defeat of Malta, however his attempt three minutes later drifted wide of goalkeeper Ernestas Setkus’ left-hand post.

Lithuania were searching for their first victory at Hampden having fallen to defeat in their previous four visits, but they grew in belief as the first-half wore on but struggled to threaten the hosts’ goal, with their first attempt lashed over the bar from outside the box by Egidijus Vaitkunas.

Scotland continued to show occasional promise in attack however, with Snodgrass’ delivery from the right flank sidefooted wide by Chris Martin, with their first shot on target coming on 34 minutes when Barry Bannan’s long-range attempt was comfortably gathered by Setkus.

The home support claimed for a penalty three minutes later when teenager Oliver Burke went down under close attention from Lithuania defender Edvinas Girdvainis as he burst down the inside-right channel, however German referee Tobias Stieler was unmoved.

Strachan was forced to make a half-time change after skipper Darren Fletcher was forced off with a thigh injury, replaced by James McArthur. Lithuania made a promising start to the second-half however, with former Hearts midfielder Arvydas Novikovas forcing Marshall to make a fine save with a low shot which was beaten away by the goalkeeper at his near post. Scotland burst into life however, with Snodgrass unfortunate to see his sidefooted effort blocked on the line by Girdvainis.

Lithuania defender Georgas Freidgeimas was fortunate to avoid a red card on 52 minutes, after clipping Martin with a flailing arm, with referee Stieler only showing a yellow card. Attacker Martin was inches away from giving the home side the lead moments later, when he connected with Andrew Robertson’s excellent delivery from the left but flashed his header just wide.

Scotland were left stunned on 59 minutes however as the visitors took the lead through a well-worked move, which saw Cernych released following a one-two with Vykintas Slivka before rifling a strike into Marshall’s near corner.

Scotland should have equalised moments later when the ball fell kindly for substitute James Forrest inside the box following a miscued clearance by the visitors, however he dragged his shot wide.

Cernych spurned a fine chance to doubel his side’s tally on 73 minutes when he went through on goal, however he struck wide of Marshall’s left-hand post.

Strachan made his final throw of the dice by bringing on Leigh Griffiths in place of Ritchie as he went with two forwards, and his first action was to nod goalwards from Snodgrass’ delivery, however his effort went straight at the goalkeeper.

Just as the clock appeared to be ticking on Scotland’s chances, McArthur nodded home from close-range after getting on the end of a flick on from Hanley to spare his side’s blushes.