scotland u213

lithuania u212

Scorers: Scotland - Hammell (79), Hughes (89, 90+2)

Lithuania - Stankevicius (5),

Kucys (71 pen)

AS far as comebacks go, this was right up there with Simon and Garfunkel and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Scotland were rescued from European elimination with a Steven Hughes encore. The Rangers' midfielder, who until last night had never recorded a goal for the under-21s, scored twice in injury time to ensure Rainer Bonhof's team will be in the play-off draw in Frankfurt on Monday.

At one stage, Scotland were occupying third place in group 5 as they were mauled by a cynical Lithuanian team whose less than sporting intentions were consistently excused by Emil Bozinovski, the Macedonian referee.

Two goals down with 20 minutes remaining and with little sign of denting the visitors' sturdy defence, Bonhof's coaching nous came up trumps. The introduction of both Hughes and Tam McManus can be filed under ''inspired'' as the former overcame his inactivity at club level with a pair of goals while the latter, also without a goal at this level, turned provider with a hand in all three.

''It was unbelievable, the biggest comeback I have ever been involved in,'' said Hughes. ''At 2-0 down I thought that was us. It's not often I score goals, I don't even play that many games these days, but it was a fantastic achievement.

''I don't care who we get in the play-offs, on our day we can cope with anybody.''

His sentiments were echoed by Bonhof, a World Cup winner as a player, and a man who still seemed shell-shocked by the McDiarmid Park mayhem.

''I have to say thank you to the team. They had a good spirit at half-time and never gave up even when the Lithuanians were wasting time. Against Germany I suffered the longest 25 minutes of my life but this is the best result yet. You have to look at the progress we have made in the last 12 months and give the players credit.''

For the majority of this match, though, Scotland were on the receiving end of the Lithuanians' rough-house tactics, which invariably went unpunished by the referee.

McDiarmid Park had not been this busy since St Johnstone slipped out of title contention. The 5000-odd fans who turned up for a nostalgic pay-at-the-gate event received a complimentary paper horn to provide a soundtrack to this thriller. Perhaps the tension was all too much for the audience, but this was not so much a re-enactment of the Hampden Roar as the McDiarmid Park mortuary until they were brought to life by a rousing finale.

Deathly silence from the stands was hardly helped by a lifeless start by Scotland. Derek Soutar will be haunted by his gaffe.

After some sterile sparring, Marius Stankevicius opted to test the Dundee goalkeeper with an early effort from 30 yards. It was little more than a tame trundler but Soapy, as he's known, let it slip through his greasy gloves.

Worse was to follow. In their first foray into enemy territory, Scotland were awarded a penalty after Egidijus Majus was deemed to have handled after some intricate yet incisive play from Maloney and Simon Lynch. The Preston North End striker lacked conviction, though, and Zydrunas Karcemarksas' reflexes saved the moment if not the day.

It was more than the fates who were conspiring against Scotland, though. Judging by Bozinovski's leniency towards the Lithuanians, the Macedonian league in which he officiates must play Aussie Rules.

Time and again Scotland's players were scythed down only for Bozinovski to turn a blind eye. As the Lithuanians lamentable tactics continued, it was inevitable that the referee would level the penalty count at the earliest opportunity. It was given 20 minutes before the end and it was as controversial as his earlier award. Deividas Cesnauskis slalomed past both Steven Hammell and Gary Caldwell before falling in spectacular fashion and Aurimas Kucys converted.

Hammell atoned for his part in the penalty with a rare strike through the keeper's legs, with McManus the provider. Suddeny, Lithuania were in a panic. Step forward the hero of the hour, Hughes. McManus was again the architect, his corner headed home by the Rangers' midfielder in injury time. Then Hughes struck seconds later with a clinical finish on the turn.

Like the new governor of California, the Scots were back.

Scotland (3-5-2) Soutar; Caldwell, Kennedy, McCracken; Canero (McManus 69), Williams (Hughes 62), Stewart, Kerr, Hammell; Maloney, Lynch (Gallagher 75). Subs: Gordon, Dowie, Montgomery, Dillon.

Lithuania (4-5-1) Karcemarksas; Paulauskas, Klimavicius, Majus, Stankevicius; Savenas, Cesnauskis,

Kucys, Radavicius (Mikoliunas 90), Grigalevicius (Panka 67), Radzinevicius (Kavaliauskas 62)