Scotland remain on course for World Cup 2002 after picking up a win in San Marino, but they made extremely hard work of what should have been a simple task. Scottish supporters breathed a massive sigh of relief as they eventually put the plucky part-timers to the sword, but the Tartan Army had to endure 70 minutes of agonising stalemate.

Memories of the famous fiascos involving Iran and Costa Rica came flooding back as Scotland huffed and puffed but could not find a way past their unfamiliar opponents. However, with twenty minutes remaining, two goals in rapid succession from Matt Elliott and Don Hutchison saved the blushes of all concerned.

National coach Craig Brown admitted that it had been "nail-biting stuff", but added: "When we scored the first goal, I knew we'd win comfortably. "We didn't concede a goal kick during the whole game, so I don't think that 2-0 was an accurate reflection on the pattern of play."

With over 3000 members of the Tartan Army easily out-singing the 100 or so locals at the Serraville stadium, Scotland pressed forward with verve and enthusiasm, and were enjoying an embarrassing time in possession.

However, Brown's men found it difficult to prise any meaningful openings in the early stages of the match. The loss of key midfield personnel - Paul Lambert, Barry Ferguson and Craig Burley - was painfully apparent as the Scottish strategy completely lacked any wit or imagination.

The home side had not played a competitive match for a year,but there were no obvious signs of ring-rust as they got men behind the ball and were well-organised at closing down the Scots in the final third of the pitch. There were early chances for Scotland, with Elliott and then Billy Dodds being thwarted by alert goalkeeping.

Elliott looked certain to score in the eighth minute, but the Leicester defender saw his close range shot bravely blocked by Federico Gasperoni. Minutes later, Dodds failed to lift the ball over the advancing 'keeper as the Rangers' striker broke free of the San Marino defence. On the half-hour the Scots struck the woodwork when a Christian Dailly header from a corner kick struck the inside of the post and bounced to safety.

Dodds was beginning to break free of his markers and scooped an excellent chance over the bar when Neil McCann had found his Ibrox team-mate with a smart raking pass. Ten minutes before the half-time break, Everton's David Weir replaced Dailly, who suffered from an accidental clash of heads and was led from the park with blood pouring from his wound.

A vicious cross from McCann had Gasperoni back-peddling and the keeper was fortunate to see his punch come back off his own crossbar. Kevin Gallacher, Scotland's captain for the night, scorned two great chances in the minutes before the interval. The Newcastle striker had a smart downward header saved at the near post and, moments later, scuffed a shot wide with his studs from just a yard away from goal.

Allan Johnston was introduced to the fray for the second period, with McCann making way. Jackie McNamara, winning his 11th cap, ballooned a shot high and wide from 12 yards out after a great surge down the left-flank from Gary Naysmith had caused consternation in the San Marino penalty box.

A clever free kick in the 57th minute saw Hutchison find Dodds on the edge of the area, but the striker snatched at the chance and the ball bobbled narrowly wide of the target. Scotland twice had the ball in the net, but on both occasions the referee's whistle had sounded to bring play to a halt.

Paul Dickov was introduced to his first taste of international football when the disappointing Gallacher trudged off. With twenty minutes remaining and Scottish nerves jangling, Elliott headed home the crucial opening goal.

A long diagonal cross from Johnston found the shaved cranium of the imposing centre half and the ball was powered into the net expertly. Hutchison doubled the Scottish advantage two minutes later when he skipped past a couple of challenges before cutely chipping the ball over the prostrate keeper.

Colin Cameron, who had been largely anonymous all night, was unlucky to see his thunderous strike cannon off the post in the 80th minute. As the clock ran down, a noticeably more relaxed Scottish side passed up several more opportunities to extend their lead.

San Marino: F. Gasperoni, Gennari, Marani, Gatti, Matteoni, Bacciocche, Zonzoni, Manzaroli, Montagna, R. Muccioli, B. Gasperoni.

Subs: S. Muccioli, V. Valentini, R. Selva, Mularoni, Della Valle, Gualtieri, De Luigi.

Scotland: Sullivan, McNamara, Naysmith, Elliott, Hendry, Dailly (sub Weir 36), Dodds, Cameron, Gallacher (sub Dickov 65), Hutchison, McCann (sub Johnston 46).

Subs: Gould, Boyd, Holt, Davidson.