Sport

Scots hold on

Scotland remain on course for the finals of Euro 2000 despite this disappointing draw

Thu Sept 09 1999 - 01:00

Scotland remain on course for the finals of Euro 2000 despite this disappointing draw. At least they have remained in front of their Estonian rivals and with two home games to come, against Bosnia and Lithuania in October, they should still secure a play-off spot.

However, the Tartan Army were left frustrated last night following the splendid 2-1 victory against Bosnia on Saturday.

Scotland rarely threatened their opponents although Billy Dodds and John Collins both went close to breaking the deadlock.

Estonia, who went down narrowly at Tynecastle last October, again displayed their fighting qualities and no lack of spirit.

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Some of their challenges were fairly dubious and a number of Scotland players were left nursing their bruises.

Scotland next face Bosnia but will be without Don Hutchison, who picked up another booking this evening.

One bonus for Scotland was at least Estonia were prepared to make a game of it yesterday. Three years ago the hosts failed to turned up at the ground and the match lasted all of three seconds.

Keeper Neil Sullivan nearly gifted Estonia a goal after 13 minutes when his clearance came back off Anders Oper. Luckily for the Wimbledon number one the ball spun off target.

Mart Poom in the Estonia goal had little to do in the first half. In fact if anything the Baltic state carved out the better openings in the first 45 minutes.

McCann rescued Scotland with four minutes to go heading away from Urmas Kirs as Marko Kristal swung in the corner.

Collins, who had early gone close with a chip, then saw his free kick beaten away by Poom as Scotland settled for a draw.

Estonia: Poom, Piiroga, Kirs, Hohlov-Simson, Saviauk, Anniste, Terehhov, Oper, Kristal, Reim, O'Konnel-Bronin (Zelinski 45). Subs Not Used: Tohvar, Haavistu, Mansalu, Reiska, Meet, Ustritski.

Scotland: Sullivan, Weir, Hendry, Dailly, Johnston (McCann 55), Burley, Durrant (Ferguson 66), Davidson, Collins, Hutchison, Dodds. Subs Not Used: Gould, Ritchie, Calderwood, Gallacher, Gemmill. Booked: Hutchison.

Attendance: 4,500.

Referee: Fritz Stuchlik (Austria).