Nine-man Scots fight back in Baku battle

NINE-MAN Scotland came from behind to claim a point in an ill-tempered six-goal thriller against Azerbaijan in the European Under-21 qualifiers.

- BY GAVIN McCAFFERTY

Scot Gemmill’s side had Jeremiah Mullen and Dire Mebude sent off in Baku but Sam Cleall-Harding, below, was close to sealing three points with the last kick of the ball, moments after he had headed in a stoppage-time equaliser.

The Scots were the better side but paid the price for failing to deal with three long balls and receiving at least one harsh red card in the 3-3 draw.

Scotland started well and Mullen failed to connect with a free header from David Watson's corner before the hosts went in front in the seventh minute with a brilliant curling finish off the post from 22 yards from Khayal Aliyev.