Dark times follow Vogts to Moldova

Group Five Moldova 1 v Scotland 1: Scotland's failure to beat Europe's poorest nation has left Berti Vogts's job hanging by a thread. A 1-1 draw in a nation that cannot afford street lighting means one of Scotland's darkest days will surely now lead to the German's dismissal.

The setback leaves them with just two points from three World Cup qualifiers and Norway's 3-0 dismissal of Slovenia earlier in the day means the chances of the Tartan Army being present at the 2006 finals are now minuscule.

Vogts must have thought luck was with him when skipper Barry Ferguson declared himself fit to start despite the hamstring problem that had made him a major doubt.

Centre back Russell Anderson could not shake off an ankle problem however so his place was taken by Steven Caldwell to join brother Gary as the first pair of siblings to play for the Scotland senior side since Jock and David Shaw in 1946.

Ferguson began the match with an intention of getting it wrapped up as soon as possible and, after Steve Crawford had sent a rasping drive on the run just over, the skipper saw a skidding effort flash through a crowded box and just miss a post.

But Moldova had created the game's first real chance, which Ghanadie Olexici headed powerfully over, and then took the lead in the 28th minute.

Serghei Dadu was the man who found the net for the home side, accepting a head-on by Serghei Rogaciov and turning Gary Caldwell to fire past Craig Gordon from six-yards out.

Vogts had been banned from the dugout following his sending off at half-time in the 0-1 defeat to Norway last Saturday and his position in the stands meant he was surrounded by the Tartan Army. What must he and they have been thinking when Moldova netted their first goal of the World Cup qualification trail.

Fortunately for the German, no one had too long to ponder that as within three minutes Steven Thompson had fired the Scots level when he was allowed to get on the end of a Darren Fletcher cross from the right and send a low drive past goalkeeper Evgheni Hmaruc.

There was a still a match to be won, however, as a draw simply would not do and it gradually became clearer that the Scots were going to drop more points.

Dadu almost put Moldova back in front. Serghei Covaliciuc was the danger man, making ground on the left and picking the striker out in space beyond the far post.

In came a goal-bound effort that was struck with venom but Gordon, who had been at fault for Norway's winner, produced a top-quality save.

There was another let-off for the Scots when Dadu headed over while unchallenged in the box with Covaliciuc having picked him out at the far post.

Time was running out fast and Crawford saw an angled drive comfortably saved by Hmaruc but Serghei Rogaciov should have killed off the Scots but failed to hit the target from six yards with the goal at his mercy.

MOLDOVA: Hmaruc; Lascencov, Catinsus, Priganiuc; Olexici (Cebotari, 38), Savinov, Ivanov, Bursuc; Covaliciuc; Dadu, Rogaciov (Miterev, 86). Subs not used: Melenciuc, Andriuta, Golban, Iepureanu, Corneencov. Booked: Ivanov.

SCOTLAND: Gordon; G Caldwell, Webster, S Caldwell, Naysmith (Murray, h-t); Holt; Fletcher, Miller, 67), Ferguson, Cameron; Thompson (McCulloch, 86), Crawford. Subs not used: Marshall, Severin, Hughes, Murty. Booked: Murray.

Referee: K Jakobsson (Iceland).