SCOTLAND spurned an obvious opportunity to make it three wins from three games when they let Chile off the hook at the Pinatar Arena in Spain.

Shelley Kerr's side were better in every department than the South Americans, but conceded a needless penalty after taking an early lead and couldn't convert numerous chances before and after the equaliser.

The Scotland scorer, Erin Cuthbert, was the side's most dangerous player but the Chelsea forward admitted Chilean captain Christiane Endler had got the better of her on the night. The two played against each other in a Champions League tie last month when Cuthbert again scored against the Paris Saint Germain goalkeeper.

“We thoroughly dominated and by half time we could have been three or four goals up,” Cuthbert said. “There's always that worry when you go in at 1-0 because the other team have always got a way back into the game then.

“We've had enough chances, and we have to take the positive that we've created them, but I'm really disappointed myself at not scoring more than I have. On another day they'll go in the back of the net so I need to get back to the training ground and work on it. Simple as that.

“I scored against their goalkeeper in the Champions League so it was nice to do it again tonight. But fair play to her, I think she's got one over me in this one. She's a top class goalkeeper and she showed that here.”

Scotland, who started the game on the front foot, took the lead after 19 minutes through Cuthbert. The Chelsea player, who had nearly dispossessed Endler to score even earlier, smashed Kirsty Smith's assist into the top right hand corner.

A weak pass back from Scotland captain Rachel Corsie, which allowed Francisca Lara to run through on Lee Alexander, nearly undid the good start, but the Chilean shot weakly at the goalkeeper. Her counterpart, Endler, had to be sharper to save two shots each from Cuthbert and Lizzie Arnot as the Scots pressed for a second before half time.

For all their superiority, Scotland found themselves back on level terms four minutes into the second half. Right-back Smith's pass back was intercepted by Daniela Zamora and Alexander took the forward down in the box and was booked. Karen Araya scored from the spot.

Having conceded the goal, Scotland spent most of the remaining time trying to get the lead back but Endler was in inspired form. The Chilean's best save was from a Lisa Evans header, and with two minutes remaining she again denied Cuthbert after the striker had been released to run through on goal.

The Chelsea forward also felt she had been denied a late penalty.

“I felt I was pushed, but I was trying to be honest and finish it,” she said.

Scorers

Scotland: Cuthbert 19m

Chile: Araya 49 pen

Scotland (4-2-3-1): Alexander; Smith, Corsie, Beattie, Docherty (Lauder 69); Little, Weir; Evans, Arnot (Ross 69), Brown (Ness 86); Cuthbert

Yellow cards: Alexander, Corsie

Referee: L Sulkova (Cze)