Scotland head for their winter hibernation content in the knowledge they are well on course for Euro 2000. But for the second time in a week the Tartan Army's nerves were left in shreds with the Faroes' John Petersen scoring from the penalty spot three minutes from the end. Goals from Craig Burley and Billy Dodds took Scotland to victory in this group nine qualifier at Aberdeen tonight.

They have picked up seven points from their first three games and realistically Brown could not really have asked for much more. The squad will now have a five-month break before re-assembling and facing Bosnia in the spring. And even at this early stage it looks as though Scotland and the Czech Republic, 4-1 winners against Estonia, will be fighting it out for the one automatic place.

Wimbledon keeper Neil Sullivan picked up his fourth cap following the sudden retirement of Jim Leighton. Sullivan's inclusion was one of five changes from the team that started on Saturday in the 3-2 victory against Estonia. Matt Elliott and Craig Burley replaced Colin Calderwood and Ian Durrant while Billy Dodds and Simon Donnelly were handed their first starts in the front line.

Scotland boss Brown had been stung with a series of calls off from injury involving the likes of John Collins, Paul Lambert, Barry Ferguson, Christian Dailly and Kevin Gallacher. Leighton was given a rousing reception by the Tartan Army when he took his place in the stand minutes before kick-off. Scotland got right into their stride with Sunderland winger Allan Johnston again very influential in this only his second game at this level before being replaced 10 minutes from time by Newcastle's Stephen Glass. He put in a telling cross after just five minutes and Dodds was only inches away from getting a vital touch. Brown had insisted that the Faroes couldn't be taken lightly and Sullivan had a scare after seven minutes when he was forced to foul Todi Jonsson as he burst through. Johnston was finding acres of space and another fine delivery in the 20th minute saw a header by Dodds comfortably taken by keeper Jakup Mikkelsen.

However Scotland had to wait only other 60 seconds to take the lead through Burley. Billy McKinlay threaded the ball through into the penalty area and the Parkhead star drove the ball beyond Mikkelsen into the corner. The Faroes were furious, complaining that they had been distracted with another ball being on the pitch at the time. Striker Uni Arge was lucky not to be booked after tugging at the shirt of Cypriot referee Costas Kapitanis. Manager Allan Simonsen also got involved remonstrating with UEFA delegate, Patrick Daly from the Republic of Ireland. Scotland were coasting with Elliott heading wide following a cross from Callum Davidson and Arge scrambled the ball away after Johnston delivered another dangerous cross.

Burley almost added a second with Mikkelsen doing superbly well to tip away his effort, then getting a hand to a close-range shot from Donnelly. TV replays showed that Jens Hansen got the final touch with the home crowd claiming a penalty but the referee would have none of it. Scotland added a second on the stroke of half-time when Johnston's cross was diverted high into the air by defender Oli Johannesen. Dundee United striker Dodds, back at his former home ground was first to react and his header carried too much power for Mikkelsen.

Brown made one change at half-time bringing off McKinlay and replacing the Blackburn midfielder with Kilmarnock's Ian Durrant. Scotland seemed content to sit on their lead against opposition who had not scored in their last four matches and the second half was a bit of a let-down for the Tartan Army who were expecting a goal feast. Most of the play revolved around Johnston and he whipped in a shot after 66 minutes that went narrowly wide of the post. Faroes boss Simonsen then introduced 18-year-old striker Jakup Borg, who will have trials with Liverpool next week.

Glass should have grabbed Scotland's third goal when he linked up with Dodds but Mikkelsen got down quickly to block his effort. But the crowd were stunned three minutes from the end when Petersen pulled a goal back for the Faroes from the penalty spot after Colin Hendry had fouled Jonsson. That meant a nervy end for the Tartan Army but luckily for them and Scotland boss Brown there were no more shocks.