Scotland Grab Euros Hope with Win over Lithuania Despite Missed Fletcher Penalty

It appears that Scotland can't escape the drama surrounding penalties this week with Saturday's double incidents still fresh in the mind as we headed into tonight's match at Hampden. What we didn't expect was more penalty intrigue to add to the week's mix.
  
Amidst the furor still lingering around about the double penalty incidents from the match against the Czech Republic on Saturday, tonight's match against Lithuania was made all the more important as the home side needed maximum points in their hunt for second spot and the playoff place.

With an ever decreasing window of opportunity of games remaining, a win and three points tonight was the only result that could hold open this window in their hunt for a slot in next year's European Championships in Poland & Ukraine.

With changes required due to suspension and injuries, Barry Bannan & David Goodwillie were to make their senior debuts as the Scots squad was stretched to breaking point and the youngsters were asked to perform on the big stage at a time when experience may have been the better option.

However, neither player was to let their side down on the night, with Barry Bannan in particular putting in a man of the match performance with no nerves and some excellent deliveries throughout the time he spent on the pitch.

The first half was dominated by the Scottish side with some excellent play that belied some of the players experience at this level although Darren Fletcher, James Morrison and Phil Bardsley were exceptional throughout. Steven Naismith was also a thorn in the Lithuanians' side and acted as a backup in the front line, sitting just behind David Goodwillie, mopping up his knock downs and deflections.

Goodwillie worked hard in his lone striker role and got very little change for all his hard work but helped Bardsley, Naismith, Berra and Fletcher all have attempts to open the scoring.

However, it was to be just one minute prior to the halftime whistle that the matches bizarre penalty incident was to occur. Barry Bannan was to throw in one of his trademark in swinging free kicks and rather strangely, the Lithuanian defender was to act in a manner more akin to superman, when he threw out his hand and punched the ball away and gave the referee no option but to give a penalty, yellow carding the defender for the incident.

After a small argument ensued between Fletcher and Bannan over the taker of the spot kick, it was the Manchester United man that stepped up to the plate. It's normally Kenny Miller that takes the penalties but as the front man was suspended for this match, it was Fletch that took the responsibility.

The penalty was struck well to the right of the goal but the keeper was equal to it and there could be no argument about the save and with this ended the first half.

The second half didn't take long to get the blood rushing as Lithuania started the quicker from the traps with three curling crosses into the box in quick succession but it was Scotland that was to eventually make the breakthrough.

With only four minutes of the second half played, Bannan was to play in another cross from the right, over the top of the defenders for Naismith to meet on the edge of the six yard area with a sliding shot into the net to give his side the lead they had so desired.

The relief could be felt throughout the stadium as the stress of winning seemingly lifted from the shoulders of the fans.

Both sides had further chances to add to the night's scoreline with Lithuania in particular pushing for the equalizer, playing with up to five strikers for the last 20 minutes of play but the match ended with this 1-0 result for the home side and gives some reprieve to Craig Levein in a week that has seen him take much criticism about tactics.

Scotland's final two matches in this group are on the road, firstly against Lichtenstein and then in the final group match against World Champions and group leaders Spain. Should be simple enough!

Marc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated.

Scotland Grab Glimmer of Euro Hope With Lithuania Win