Scotland retain high hopes despite defeat in Greece

Scotland lost 3-2 in Greece but remain in the hunt for automatic qualification for the World Cup following an extraordinary night of action in Group C.

- GAVIN MCCAFFERTY

Steve Clarke's side looked destined for the playoffs as they trailed 3-0 in a game which they went into knowing they almost certainly needed a draw.

Goals from Ben Gannon-Doak and Ryan Christie gave Scotland hope and they threatened an equaliser on several occasions.

It turned out they did not need one, though, to set up a Hampden decider with Denmark on Tuesday, which Scotland must win.

The Danes saw a one-goal lead over Belarus turned on its head in three second-half minutes and the Tartan Army celebrated a 2-2 draw in Copenhagen after an agonising wait of several minutes following the final whistle in Piraeus, on the outskirts of Athens.

The Greek capital is the birthplace of drama and there have been few more unlikely scripts in the national team's history.

Craig Gordon's record-breaking - and impressive - appearance ended up being a minor act.