GORDON Strachan last night conceded that squandering the two scoring opportunities that Lee Wallace created at the start of the second half had scuppered Scotland's chances of getting a result against England.
Wallace, who was only drafted into the national team after Kieran Tierney and then Andy Robertson both picked up injuries, performed well at left back at Wembley.
The Rangers captain, who was making his first appearance for his country in a competitive fixture in over three years, set up James Forrest and Robert Snodgrass for shots with the visitors trailing 1-0.
However, Forrest hooked his attempt wide, Snodgrass saw his effort blocked and England edged further in front moments later when Adam Lallana netted.
“In the second half we got two chances and didn’t capitalise, they went up and got their second shot on target," said Strachan. "Those missed chances were huge. After that it was going to be a long, long night.
"They stuck at it and we were beaten once again by a set play. When it gets to 3-0 the game is finished at that point.
“Sturridge’s goal was a class header. We had headers. But his goes in. That’s what you get with world class players when you’re on the other side I’m afraid."
Despite his disappointment, Strachan praised his players for their display and singled out Wallace, who last played in a World Cup qualifier against Macedonia in 2013, for special praise.
“A lot of them can be pleased with their performances," he said. "Lee Wallace in particular was phenomenal. That’s somebody who’s been out of the team for a couple of years. He never said a thing, just got on with it.
“I’ll go away and have a look at it and have a debrief and see where we are. At this time, it’s very hard to seriously take in anything. I do feel for that group in there because that wasn’t fair. There are games sometimes when it’s not fair and that wasn’t fair.
“At this moment in time, it’s hard. We were brave and tried to meet England up the pitch. We let them have one chance in the first half which they scored form. At half-time and I could see in their eyes they still believed that by sticking to what we were trying to do we would get there."
Southgate, who has increased his chances of being appointed England manager on a permanent basis with a resounding victory that kept them two points in front of Slovenia at the top of Group F, admitted his team had got lucky.
"The chance they missed just before we scored our second was a key moment in the game," he said. "I think we were pretty ruthless in front of goal.
"Today we were a bit more patient and we punished Scotland when we got the chances. Scotland played with great pressure and endeavour and spirit and pressed us. We knew the sort of game we would get and I don’t think they disappointed with that."
Southgate insisted that Scotland could still climb the table and qualify for the next World Cup finals. "The group is still wide open," he said. "You keep winning games and the table doesn’t seem to change. Teams will drop points against each other."
Southgate, the England caretaker manager, admitted he has loved the experience of guiding his country safely through such a momentous fixture.
In his third game in charge since Sam Allardyce’s exit, Southgate was delighted with the performance shown by his team.
He now has just one fixture left of his temporary tenure – a friendly next week against Spain – but was reluctant to dwell too much on his own future and instead chose to applaud the efforts of his charges.
“Tonight is down to the players,” he said. They’ve shown elements of what they are capable of individually and collectively. They displayed a lot of the things we’d worked on during the week so that was pleasing.
“[What happens next] is not my decision. I’m really pleased I was giving the task of picking the job up in a very difficult situation for everybody and I feel that we have prepared the team really well. I’ve enjoyed that. I’ve enjoyed working with them.
“We now have a different challenge to prepare for against Spain which will be a great test for us. The rest is out of my hands, really.
“I’ve loved it. I’ve really enjoyed the role and responsibility. I’ve enjoyed the challenge of every part of it. I get that’s no use if you don’t get the results as well.
“It’s been a brilliant experience. I’ve taken so much from it. But I also think as a group of staff, it’s not just about me, that we’ve prepared the team well and created a good environment and hopefully they’ve enjoyed what they’ve been doing.”
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