Boyd on mark for Scots

Boyd: Winner

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Substitute Kris Boyd had a clinical impact as Scotland beat South Africa 1-0 at Pittodrie.

In a game of few chances, Boyd made a crucial difference just two minutes after coming on for Kenny Miller in the second half.

South Africa enjoyed the better of the early moments, although Sibusiso Zuma was forced off after just 10 minutes following a late challenge from Russell Anderson.

His replacement Siyabonga Nomvethe scented a goal minutes later, but full-back Jay McEveley was across well to clear the danger.

The visitors' best opening then fell to Nomvethe, but the striker could not get his header from Bradley Carnell's cross on target.

More purpose

James McFadden, who had earlier mis-kicked in the box, curled a free-kick over the bar as neither keeper was tested in the first half.

Scotland showed a little more purpose in the second period and Miller saw an acrobatic effort finally call the South African keeper into action.

South Africa's threat diminished as the game wore on, although Nomvethe saw a snap-shot deflected wide after Stephen Pearson had mis-controlled in the box.

The winner arrived on 71 minutes when stand-in captain Darren Fletcher clipped a delightful ball over the top and Boyd raced through to smash his shot off the inside of the post.

Alex McLeish's men comfortably saw out the closing stages of the game ahead of next month's Euro 2008 qualifiers with Lithuania and France.