GROUP I: Scotland 1 Lithuania 0:STEVEN NAISMITH kept Scotland's Euro 2012 hopes alive with a second-half winner in a nervy qualifier against Lithuania at Hampden Park.

Scotland captain Darren Fletcher had a penalty saved by Zydrunas Karcemarskas a minute before the break to keep the Tartan Army on edge.

But in the 49th minute Naismith slammed in a pass from Barry Bannan to take Craig Levein’s side to within two points of play-off rivals Czech Republic with both countries having two games remaining.

With their own qualification hopes slipping away Lithuania pushed forward leaving some alarming gaps in defence and in the 72nd minute Naismith headed Bannan’s cross from the left behind from close range.

But the slender lead meant the home fans became edgy any time the ball went near Scotland’s box and there was a sharp intake of breath when Lithuania substitute Tomas Danilevicius headed just past the far post with McGregor struggling.

SCOTLAND:McGregor, Whittaker, Caldwell, Berra, Bardsley, Bannan, Morrison, Cowie, Fletcher, Naismith, Goodwillie. Subs: Crainey for Bardsley (70), Dorrans for Morrison (80), Snodgrass for Bannan (84).

LITHUANIA:Karcemarskas, Deividas Cesnauskis, Kijanskas, Zaliukas, Klimavicius, Radavicius, Labukas, Semberas, Pilibaitis, Mikoliunas, Sernas. Subs: Novikovas for Labukas (46), Danilevicius for Kijanskas (62), Beniusis for Mikoliunas (76).

Referee:Kristinn Jakobsson (Iceland).