Maguire the hero for Scots

Maguire: Crucial goal

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Chris Maguire fired Scotland Under-21s to a 2-1 victory over Austria which ensured progress from European Championship qualifying Group 10.

Barry Bannan levelled for the hosts at Pittodrie with a 29th minute volley after Werder Bremen forward Marko Arnautovic put Austria ahead early on.

Austria and Arnautovic continued to threaten but Scotland booked their place in the qualifying play-offs for next summer's finals in Denmark thanks to Maguire's stunning late winner.

Billy Stark's men drew 1-1 in Belarus last Friday, with Maguire netting the crucial penalty equaliser, putting their progression from Group 10 in their own hands.

Scotland headed into the encounter knowing victory would see them advance to next month's two-legged play-offs as pool winners with a better head-to-head record.

The Scots lost 1-0 in Austria 12 months ago and they were behind after 10 minutes.

After David Wotherspoon shot narrowly wide and Alexander Grunwald was denied by Alan Martin at the other end, the Leeds goalkeeper was picking the ball out of his net.

Pounced

Arnautovic pounced on Danny Wilson's loose pass in central midfield and surged forward 10 yards before unleashing a vicious right-footed shot from 25 yards which skipped past Martin and into the bottom corner.

The Austria striker kept his effort low and out of the wind and was perhaps aided by a slick surface courtesy of relentless rain falling in Aberdeen.

Scotland had an opportunity to pull level soon after when captain Paul Caddis crossed for Maguire to turn and shoot but goalkeeper Heinze Lindner was equal to the Aberdeen forward's effort.

Wilson headed wide from the resulting corner before Fabian Koch flashed a shot off target at the other end.

Dundee United's David Goodwillie, the one change made by Stark, shot wide from 20 yards before Caddis teed up Bannan's equaliser.

Caddis crossed from the right and Aston Villa midfielder Bannan, inside the left edge of the area, controlled and powered a left-footed volley across goal into the top corner.

But Austria and Arnautovic were always a danger, particularly with Scotland giving the ball away all too frequently.

Martin was at full stretch to stop a 35-yard free-kick from the forward six minutes later before Maguire scuffed a shot into the ground following a well-worked Scotland corner as the half ended level.

Strong

Lindner saved from Paul Coutts after some strong work from Bannan before Arnautovic fired over from distance.

James Forrest was introduced for Wotherspoon and almost immediately cut inside from the right flank but his tame left-footed shot was easily held.

Arnautovic then had Martin beaten again, but the post saved Scotland on this occasion as the Bremen forward's curling shot hit the upright.

Lindner saved comfortably from Maguire as Scotland countered and Bannan then weaved his way into the Austria box but could not find the target with his left-footed chip.

Scott Arfield shot straight at the Austria goalkeeper before Martin got down low to his left to save another speculative effort from Arnautovic.

Austria forward Atdhe Nuhiu then spurned the best chance of the game.

Martin's poor kick landed at the feet of Nuhiu, who laboured forward to a one-on-one, only for the Scotland goalkeeper to make amends for his clearance.

Scotland continued to search for the winner and it came when Forrest laid the ball off for Maguire, who took a touch and fired a right-footed shot into the top corner from 20 yards.