Scotland slump to Georgia loss

Scotland's qualification hopes rest in the balance as they now have to defeat Italy at Hampden Park as they failed to grab three points in a tough travel to Georgia, who defeated the Scots 2-0.

Manager Alex McLeish contemplated his starting 11 without the injured Scott Brown, Alan Hutton and Gary Naysmith while Lee McCulloch and Garry O'Connor were suspended after picking up bookings in the 3-1 win over Ukraine at Hampden on Saturday.

Darren Fletcher, Graeme Murty, Shaun Maloney and Graham Alexander were drafted in and there was no surprise when the visitors looked disjointed early in the game.

Georgia coach Klaus Toppmoller, whose side had no chance of qualifying, handed starts to 16-year-old Levan Kenia and two 17-year-olds, goalkeeper Giorgi Makaridze and Mchedlidze, and it was the latter who was to strike the first blow.

17-year-old striker Levan Mchedlidze headed the home side in to the lead after 16 minutes.

David Siradze drilled home number two in the 65th minute to stifle any prospect of a comeback and although McLeish's side battled on, it is against the World Cup holders next month that they will learn if they are to qualify for their first major finals since 1998.