Erin Cuthbert’s double handed Scotland a 2-1 win over Belarus and cut the gap to Switzerland at the top of their World Cup qualifying group to three points.
Karina Olkhovik gave Belarus the lead against the run of play on 27 minutes and the home side hit the woodwork four times before Cuthbert levelled.
The Chelsea forward gave Scotland the lead on 65 minutes at a boisterous Falkirk Stadium and the hosts were relatively untroubled as they held on for the three points.
The Scots head to Kielce on Tuesday to face Poland, who are a place behind them in the group, while leaders Switzerland are in Minsk to face Belarus.
Olkhovik’s opener came in the face of incessant Scots pressure as her dipping effort clipped the underside of the crossbar and beat Lee Alexander.
Jane Ross, Lisa Evans, Jen Beattie and Claire Emslie all hit the woodwork in the first half before Cuthbert equalised, weaving into a gap on the right flank and floating a shot inside the far post.
Belarus’ number one Natalia Voskobovich and some desperate defending had kept the visitors in the game but Cuthbert ensured a victory for the home side with 25 minutes to go, taking Fiona Brown’s cross in her stride and calmly slotting home.
Aberdeen’s Rachel Corsie picked up her 99th cap as captain and can complete her century on Tuesday. Kim Little, from Mintlaw, enjoyed a strong performance in the middle of the park.
The Scots were rarely troubled at the back and will head to Poland confident of clawing more ground back on the Swiss at the top of Group 2.
