Scotland have maintained their top-place in Group B of EURO 2008 qualification, beating Georgia 2-1 at Hampden Park for Alex McLeish’s first game in charge of Scotland. A late goal from substitute Craig Beattie handed Scotland the vital win ahead of their trip to face current world champions Italy on Wednesday.

Georgia were without a win since the opening game of the qualifying campaign, in which they thrashed the Faroe Islands 6-0, but three consecutive defeats see them down in sixth place in Group B.

The fourth minute saw the first chance of the game came for Scotland, but Paul Hartley's corner kick was headed wide of the Georgia goal by David Weir.

A mistake from Gary Teale in the Scotland defence led to Georgia's first chance on goal after an in-swinging corner from Zaal Eliava was headed down by Teale straight into the path of George Demetradze, but luckily for home-side Gary Naysmith cleared the ball to safety.

Scotland took the lead in the 11th minute, when Teale's cross from the right-hand side was met well by Glasgow Rangers striker Kris Boyd, who headed low past the keeper to put the Scots into the lead.

Teale had an attempt himself 18 minutes, but his rushed effort was hit straight at the Georgian Giorgi Lomaia, with Kenny Miller’s shot from outside the area six minutes later was collected with ease by Lomaia.

Georgia were becoming more and more involved in the game, with Demetradze having a header cleared by Stephen McManus, with Lasha Salukvadze coming close to equalising with his effort from outside the area which went just inches wide of the post and Demetradze forcing Scotland keeper Craig Gordon into a fine save.

Demetradze was the instigator of the equaliser, delivering a perfect cross to Shota Arveladze, who headed home on 41 minutes to silence Hampden Park.

The second half saw Scotland gradually begin to control the game and were enjoying the majority of the possession, but the Georgian defence held strong to deny the home side any real chances.

Scotland’s constant attacking left space at the back, which provided Tskitshivili with an excellent opportunity to put Georgia ahead, but his close-range shot went wide of the right-hand post.

Boyd had his effort rebound off the post, but with 15 minutes remaining, Boyd was replaced by Celtic striker Craig Beattie as Scotland boss McLeish went for the winner.

As their confidence grew, Scotland forced more opportunities, with McCulloch, Miller and Hartley all having chances, but it was in the last minute of normal time that Beattie broke through the Georgian defence to slot his shot home from just inside the penalty area to score his first goal for his country to the jubilation of the home fans.

In the dying seconds, Georgia had a chance to try and forge a late equaliser, firing in a long-range free-kick into the area, but Scotland hung on for a valuable win.

The three points ensured that despite France’s slender 1-0 win over Lithuania, Scotland remain top of Group B in the EURO 2008 qualifiers, with a tough away encounter against current world champions Italy on Wednesday.

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