Scotland must draw with France on Friday night at Galashiels or avoid an 18-point defeat to be crowned European champions for the very first time after a dogged win in Dublin.
Captain Danny Brough was instrumental in the victory, setting up two tries and kicking nine points, but it was the Scots' defensive showing that saw them come through a scrappy game.
The first opening wasn't until the 12th minute when Scotland prop Adam Walker snatched a loose ball and raced 30 metres clear, throwing long to centre Joe Wardle, who over-hit his kick.
From the tap restart, Wardle hammered Jobe Murphy in the tackle, knocking the Dewsbury forward out. Murphy was stretchered off and the tackle, which appeared legitimate, was placed on report.
The game became a stalemate, with neither side showing the flair to break through and defences impressing. A minute before the break Scotland playmaker Brough, frustrated by the lack of fluidity until then, sent a speculative kick through the Irish defensive line.
As it bounced in the in-goal area, substitute hooker Callum Phillips burst through to touch it down and give Scotland the lead. Brough's conversion made it 6-0.
In their first attack of the second half, Brough sent a ball wide to Alex Hurst on the left but the winger failed to take it in. Two minutes later, Hurst was in support of Wardle when the Huddersfield Giants centre broke through and waited for help. Hurst was on cue to score, and Brough converted.
The groundwork for Scotland's more adventurous play was set by Walker, the Hull KR prop, gaining valuable metres time and again.
It was clearly going to be an ugly win and Brough put his side three scores ahead, using his experience to knock over a drop goal on 62 minutes from 20 metres out.
Brough showed leadership in defence too: his tackle on Luke Ambler stunned the Irish prop into dropping the ball as he was about to dive over.
A thundering challenge on winger Casey Dunne forced a turnover from which Brough's pass sent Danny Addy in for Scotland's third try. The skipper's goal made it 19-0 with 12 minutes to go.
Scotland conceded a late try to James Toole, but London fullback Oscar Thomas got what could be a crucial one for the Bravehearts, finishing off Danny Addy's break.
Scotland: Oscar Thomas, David Scott, Ben Hellewell, Joe Wardle, Alex Hurst, Danny Brough, Nathan Massey, Adam Walker, Danny Addy, Ben Kavanagh, Corbyn Kilday, Brett Phillips, Sonny Esslemont. Subs: Callum Phillips, Joe McLean, Josh Barlow, Louis Senter.
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