Scotland scuppered by subs

A dramatic comeback took Poland to within a point of UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification.

Substitutes turn game
Gary Irvine and Gary McKenzie had given Scotland a 2-0 lead early in the second half, but Polish substitute Grzegorz Szynanek scored twice in four minutes to draw his side level, and fellow replacement Slawomir Peszko's deflected free-kick ended Scotland's campaign.

Scotland weakened
While Poland had begun Group 6 by beating hosts Austria 1-0, Scotland had lost 3-2 to Finland and knew that victory was paramount today. However, injuries and suspensions left them with only two outfield players and goalkeeper Alistair Brown on the bench.

Two-goal lead
But Ross Mathie's side were ahead within 12 minutes through Irvine, and they held the lead until the break. At half-time Poland coach Andrzey Zelinski, who rested several key players ahead of Saturday's decider against Finland, brought on Szymanek, Peszko and Marcin Smolinski. However, just two minutes later McKenzie rose unmarked in the area to head in Ross Wallace's corner.

Poland rally
The substitutions soon took effect, though. Szymanek pounced on a defensive error to pull one back, then four minutes later volleyed in an equaliser. Then with 23 minutes remaining, Peszko sent in free-kick from 25 metres that beat Celtic FC goalkeeper David Marshall.

Red cards
In a match of nine bookings, Irvine was the first player to receive a second yellow card for retaliation nine minutes from time, and Szymanek followed in added time. But Poland were victorious, and now only need to draw with Finland to progress, while Scotland will play for pride against Austria.