Scottish resilience earns first win

Paul Gallagher's seventh-minute strike gave Scotland an unexpected Group 5 victory against Norway. The win provides some respite for under-pressure coach Rainer Bonhof, although the Scots remain bottom of the group.

Match forfeit
On Friday, they drew 2-2 with Italy, only to forfeit the game 3-0 because Stephen Whittaker played while suspended. However, they recovered to shock an in-form Norway side in Drammen.

Profligate Norway
On-loan Stoke City FC forward Gallagher latched onto a Mark Wilson pass and found the net with precision after seven minutes to give Scotland the lead, and Despite carving out numerous opportunities, Norway were unable to find an equaliser. Lars Iver Strand failed to connect properly with a presentable chance on 14 minutes, while Tomasz Sokolowski and Daniel Fredheim were also guilty of misses before half-time.

Defensive heroics
After the break Norway continued to pour forward, with Trond Olsen bringing the best out of Celtic FC defender Peter Lawson and goalkeeper Iain Turner. In the dying minutes, Lars Martin Engedal saw an effort cleared off the line, but Scotland survived for their first win of the qualifying campaign. Norway remain second, just a point ahead of Belarus and eight behind leaders Italy.