Here's an assessment of how the Scotland team fared:
DAVID MARSHALL: The Cardiff goalkeeper was a surprise inclusion ahead of Allan McGregor but could not improve his miserable international record, which now stands at six caps, six defeats and 17 goals against. Had no chance with these two, though. 6/10.
ALAN HUTTON: Troubled early on by Zoran Tosic, the right-back helped drive Scotland forward after the first 20 minutes. But he was caught out by a ball over the top before the first goal and slow to react before the second. 5
STEVEN WHITTAKER: Coped well considering he was making his first start in 2013 following a hip injury after replacing fitness doubt Charlie Mulgrew. Unlucky to inadvertently set up the opener after a saving tackle. 6
GARY CALDWELL: Made an ill-thought attempt to pass to Hutton instead of playing it safe as Scotland gifted the Serbs a second goal. 5
GRANT HANLEY: Recovered from some dubious early positional play to put in some uncompromising challenges. 7
LIAM BRIDCUTT: The Brighton midfielder was Scotland's best player on his debut from his first-minute penalty-box interception. Vocal, composed on the ball, quick in the tackle and showed good awareness to cover his team-mates. 8
JAMES McARTHUR: Put himself about in central midfield and made some decent passes. 6
GEORGE BOYD: An enthusiastic debut in a central role but was restricted in his natural attacking game. Passed up a chance to shoot after being played into the left channel. 6
STEVEN NAISMITH: The Everton midfielder, playing wide right, still looks short of his best. Finished brilliantly early in the second half but was two yards offside. 5
SHAUN MALONEY: Worked hard to support left-back Whittaker but made little impact going forward. 5
JORDAN RHODES (above): Had a difficult first competitive start with little support from central midfield. But would have expected to do better after getting an unexpected chance just before Serbia's 60th-minute opener when he shot straight at the goalkeeper. 6
Substitutes
CHARLIE ADAM (for McArthur, 46): Threw himself into the game after coming on at half-time but his final ball was below par. Will miss the trip to Croatia after being harshly booked following a handball. 5
CHRIS BURKE (for Maloney, 80): One good trick and cross after coming on at right-wing. 5
KENNY MILLER (for Rhodes, 80): Scotland were devoid of confidence by the time the forward came on. 4
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