Off the hook: Scotland celebrate Stephen McManus' late winner. Pic: ©SNS Group
Scotland came within a whisker of suffering an embarrassing result at home to Liechtenstein at Hampden, only for Stephen McManus to score a header in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
Mario Frick gave the visitors the lead early in the second half, before Kenny Miller's ferocious strike cancelled them out. But the minnows looked set to take a memorable point from Scotland, only for McManus to rise highest to nod home a Barry Robson corner with the last touch of the game.
Craig Levein's team had plenty of the ball in their second match of the tournament, having also been held to a draw in Lithuania four days ago. But, as was the case in Kaunas, they failed to convert their domination into clear chances and were almost made to pay by a team ranked 141st in the world.
Scotland controlled the game in large parts but frustration grew amongst the home support as they failed to test visiting keeper Peter Jehle. Instead it was Liechtenstein, lively on the counter attack, who had the early shots on target but Allan McGregor was equal to the attempts from distance.
Levein's men exited at the interval with the disapproval of the Hampden crowd ringing in their ears but things were to get even worse three minutes into the second half. Mounting another counter, Frick found the ball at his feet on the penalty spot after good work down the left hand side.
McManus, who thankfully went on to be the hero of the hour, afforded the birthday boy far too much room to get the ball out from under his feet and he steered the ball into the top right corner of the net past McGregor.
With a lead to defend, Liechtenstein did their best to frustrate Scotland and largely succeeded, getting men behind the ball and taking every opportunity to run the clock down. Scotland had a penalty claim denied when Robson clashed with the opposition keeper but only earned himself a yellow card for protesting when no spot kick was awarded.
On 63 minutes, Scotland levelled. Substitute James Morrison, on for James McFadden, raced down the left before firing in a cross and though Michael Stocklasa headed clear, the ball landed perfectly for Miller to smash in a perfect volley.
Levein then made another change, throwing Steven Naismith on for Kris Boyd. With the Rangers player on the right flank and Morrison on the left Scotland looked more dangerous but Liechtenstein's spoiling tactics looked like seeing them safely through to 90 minutes.
The hosts started playing at a higher tempo but wild tackles on Alan Hutton, including one that should have seen David Hasler red-carded, saw attacks broken up and Scotland become increasingly upset with the treatment they were suffering.
Time was running out, and despite their possession, it looked like being another nightmare result for Scotland. A Robson free-kick went high over the bar, prompting celebrations from the Liechtenstein bench but, almost seven minutes into injury time, Scotland got their winner.
A Robson corner from the left was perfectly flighted for McManus to meet and he bulleted a header into the back of the net. The performance will not be forgotten but the result will remain the same; Scotland victorious but only after the latest of late goals.
