Football news - Unimpressive Scotland win in San Marino

Scotland scored in each half to complete a 2-0 win in San Marino, but it was another turgid performance after their shock 3-0 defeat in Kazakhstan in their opening Euro 2020 qualifier on Thursday.

Kenny McLean scored the opening goal for Alex McLeish's side with a header on four minutes at the San Marino Stadium.

But the visitors toiled to break down the home team - who are officially rated the world's worst team at 211 in the FIFA rankings - and needed a finish from Johnny Russell on 74 minutes from a counter attack to ease the tension in the small home ground.

It is unlikely to stop the clamour for manager McLeish to be sacked three days after presiding over arguably the worst performance and defeat in the country's history to a side ranked 117th in the world.

The result was put into perspective when Russia - who are Scotland's rivals for second place in Group I - walloped Kazakhstan 4-0 earlier in the day on their plastic pitch at the Astana Arena.

The manager will be relieved his side recorded three crucial points to get off the mark in their European qualifying campaign, but the victory will do little to appease Scotland supporters and the board. The large travelling contingent let the under-pressure boss and his below-par players know their feelings throughout another concerning performance with a variety of chants. Is McLeish's time coming to an end? It would seem so. The real test will come on June 8 when Scotland face Cyprus at Hampden Park. Fail to win that and it's farewell.

One of few positives in another concerning performance, the Bournemouth winger worked well with full-back Andy Robertson down the left side throughout to create chances from the wide area.

San Marino: Benedettini 5, Palazzi 5, Simoncini 5, Battistini 5, Cevoli 5, Mularoni 5, Golinucci 4, Golinucci 4, Vitaioli, 4 Berardi 4, Hirsch 4. Subs: Grandoni 5, Lunadei N/A, Nanni 5.

Scotland: Bain 5, O'Donnell 5, Bates 5, McKenna 5, Robertson 7, Russell 5, McGregor 5, McLean 6, Fraser 8, Paterson 5, Armstrong 7. Subs: Forrest 7, McNulty 6.

4' - GOAL! San Marino 0-1 Scotland: That should settle the nerves! Scotland work a short corner to Fraser who stands up a smart cross, it's met by the glancing head of McLean and nestles into the corner of the net.

31' - SAN MARINO CHANCE! A lovely disguised pass picks out Hirsch who rounds the on-rushing Bain, the angle is against him though and he hammers the ball into the side-netting. That could have been embarrassing for Scotland.

74' - GOAL! San Marino 0-2 Scotland: And finally the pressure is off! There is a foul in the build-up, the referee plays advantage as Forrest races down the right. His cross is dummied by McNulty, who leaves it for Russell. He takes a touch and slams home his first goal for Scotland.

77' - WHAT A MISS! Forrest crosses and the unmarked McNulty, eight yards out, somehow heads it wide. Unbelievable miss.