Bravehearts!!!

By Ronnie Esplin, PA Sport, in Kaunas

Man-of-the-match Kenny Miller inspired a famous victory for Scotland against Lithuania in Kaunas to make it two wins from two in their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

The Celtic striker might not have scored for his new club yet but he scored what proved to be the winner - even after being booked to rule him out of the game with France - which was his second in two international matches.

Scotland started Group B with a 6-0 romp against the Faroe Islands on Saturday and veteran defender Christian Dailly and Miller put the country in strong position. But they had to sweat it out for their second consecutive success after Darius Miceika's stunning late consolation.

David Weir became the latest entrant to the Scottish Football Association Hall of Fame by winning his 50th cap but Kris Boyd, who scored twice against the north Atlantic part-timers, was dropped to the bench as Smith adopted a more cautious approach by calling on Gary Caldwell.

The fact Lithuania had Hearts midfielder Saulius Mikoliunas and former Dunfermline defender Andrius Skerla in their starting XI added spice to a match which began with two moments of drama.

In the second minute, a Mantas Savenas corner from the right found Tomas Zvirgzdauskas, whose effort from 12 yards was cleared off the line by Caldwell.

Seconds later, Miller set up Nigel Quashie, whose turn and shot was well saved by Lithuania goalkeeper Zydrunas Karcemarskas.

Then, in the seventh minute, a McFadden corner glanced towards goal by Miller was saved by Karcemarskas seconds before the Lithuanian goalkeeper saved a McFadden shot from distance.

Amid a frantic start to proceedings, the play switched from end to end with remarkable speed but the visitors were giving as good as they were getting.

Miller was foiled by Karcemarskas after latching onto a McFadden header, the Celtic striker looking sharp in attack.

In the 16th minute, Mikoliunas set up Savenas but he blasted his 25-yard shot high over the crossbar.

Still there was no let-up in the pace of the game but despite the best efforts of both sides the opening goal refused to come.

Weir was proving to be a rock in central defence with Miller continuing to upset the home defence.

In the 21st minute, Lithuania midfielder Mindaugas Kalonas fired in a snap-shot, which went inches past Craig Gordon's goal.

The Scots, however, were dealt a blow when the injured McFadden was replaced by Graham Alexander which necessitated a further change to the visitors' system.

Alexander moved to wing-back, Dailly moved into a holding midfield role with Paul Hartley now supporting Miller.

Miller, who was booked on Saturday, picked up another caution for handball, an act of folly which will see the Celtic forward miss the next game against France.

As half-time approached, the tempo of the game dropped and it was evident the visitors had lost some of their cohesion.

In the 40th minute, Dailly was booked for fouling Mikoliunas at the edge of the Scotland penalty area.

But Weir bravely headed Savenas' free-kick over for a corner which the visitors again defended with impressive determination.

In the 43rd minute, Scotland midfielder Quashie hobbled off to be replaced by Boyd and once more the Scots had to reshuffle.

There was great drama at the start of the second half when Scotland stole into the lead with barely a minute gone.

Miller won a corner and, when Naysmith curled his cross in from the left, Dailly rose high inside the six-yard box to bullet his header home.

It was the West Ham defender's sixth goal in international games and swung the match in favour of the visitors.

Scotland were buoyed by the goal and looked comfortable as they fended off Lithuania's attempts to get back on level terms.

And there was more joy to follow for the huge travelling army of Scottish fans just in the 62nd minute when they doubled their lead.

A long free-kick from goalkeeper Gordon reached the Lithuanian penalty area where Boyd attempted to get on the end of it.

It was unclear whether the Rangers striker got a touch or not but, when the ball landed, Miller wasted no time in drilling it into the net from 10 yards out.

Lithuania were now struggling to get back into the game and Scotland moved forward with confidence looking for their third goal.

The home nation continued to pile on the pressure and Robertas Poskus shot over the crossbar after 70 minutes.

Boyd could have wrapped up the points in the 76th minute but his header and then shot failed to trouble Karcemarskas.

Substitute Miceika gave Lithuania hope of salvaging something from the game by firing an acrobatic 85th-minute over-head kick past Gordon into the top corner of the goal.

Boyd could have settled the nerves in injury time but he could not squeeze the ball past Karcemarskas.

Teams

Lithuania, Karcemarskas, Stankevicius, Dziaukstas, Skerla,Zvirgzdauskas, Savenas (Tamosauskas 50), Kalonas,Mikoliunas (Labukas 66), Preiksaitis (Miceika 81), Poskus,Danilevicius.


Subs Not Used: Malinauskas, Paulauskas, Zelmikas, Kavaliauskas.


Booked: Zvirgzdauskas, Preiksaitis, Poskus, Kalonas.



Scotland Gordon, Dailly, Weir, Caldwell, Naysmith, Pressley,Fletcher, Quashie (Boyd 43), McFadden (Graham Alexander 21),Hartley (Severin 88), Miller.


Subs Not Used: Neil Alexander, Anderson, Neilson, Teale.


Booked: Miller, Dailly, Caldwell.


Ref: Vladimir Hrinak (Slovakia).