Craig Mackail-Smith kept Scottish hopes alive with a match-winning header to defeat Liechtenstein 1-0 in Euro 2012 qualifying Group I.
Jehle pulls off collection of saves in Vaduz
Craig Mackail-Smith kept Scottish hopes alive with a match-winning header to defeat Liechtenstein 1-0 in Euro 2012 qualifying Group I.
The Brighton striker saw his flick-on loop over the outstretched arms of Peter Jehle in what was nothing short of a must-win game for Craig Levein's men at Vaduz.
Scotland deserved their lead having attacked right from the first whistle with skipper Darren Fletcher shaking off tonsillitis to start and pull the strings in the middle of the park for the men in yellow.
Scotland could have gone ahead through Steven Naismith and Barry Bannan but their efforts either went wide of the target or FC Vaduz's shot-stopper Jehle expertly denied the chances.
Allan McGregor was called into action from Thomas Beck after his 25-yard strike was tipped over, but Scotland continued to press and held on for the crucial three points ready for another vital clash with against Spain on Tuesday.
The build-up to Saturday's game was dominated by the fitness problems of skipper Fletcher and star striker Kenny Miller.
The Red Devils ace was originally ruled out through illness but flew in late to join the squad at the Rheinpark Stadion.
However, Cardiff striker Miller was not so fortunate as he failed to overcome a groin strain which gave Mackail-Smith a start in Liechtenstein.
The hosts were bottom of the table with four points but Scotland needed a 97th-minute winner to beat them at Hampden in September last year and with the home side keeping a clean sheet in their last seven wins, it was not going to be easy for the visitors.
Penalty claim
Scotland started the better and in the sixth minute Mackail-Smith went over after a nudge in the box by Rony Hanselman, however the 27-year-old's penalty claim was waved away by Norwegian referee Tom Harald-Hagen.
Moments later, Naismith glanced a free-kick wide of the target from close range and on reflection the 'Gers striker should have done better.
In a rare counter-attack Scotland switched off for a moment as Beck struck a powerful effort towards goal in the 18th minute which McGregor had to expertly tip over the bar.
A minute later midfielder Bannan, from wide on the right, lobbed the ball over to the back post searching for Naismith, however the forward failed to get the power behind his header and Jehle held on.
Naismith was then guilty of another miss when his heavy touch to round the keeper sent him far too wide as his effort struck the side netting from a tight angle with the goal gaping.
Scotland piled on the pressure and Bannan saw a curler fire wide of the mark in what was a bit of an onslaught from the visitors.
Sunderland full-back Bardsley was next to have a pop at goal on the half-hour mark which forced Jehle to push the ball away from his right-hand post for a corner.
Despite a fine performance from the 29-year-old, Jehle will not be happy with the manner in which he was beaten as he was caught in no-man's land and Mackail-Smith headed Bardsley's looping cross over his head from ten yards out to break the deadlock and ease Scotland's anxiety.
Three minutes from the break Naismith went down claiming he had been tripped by Martin Stocklasa as he broke into the box, but his pleas fell on deaf ears.
Determination
Scotland came out of the traps for the second half showing the same determination which had allowed them to dominate the first 45 minutes.
However, despite all of the pressure Levein's side still could not add to their opener and again came close in the 54th minute when Bardsley headed a Charlie Adam corner just over the bar after escaping his marker at the near post.
Five minutes later, the Black Cats defender failed to control a raking Bannan pass after nipping in behind the home defence.
Jehle under pressure conceded another corner from Christophe Berra's low drive from the edge of the box as Liechtenstein continued to defend resolutely.
In the 69th minute Nicolas Hasler stretched the Scottish defence and forced McGregor into a save from a low drive which was sneaking in at the far-post.
Celtic's James Forrest came on for Bannan three minutes later before Don Cowie replaced man of the match Adam, but as the game entered its final stages nerves began to show.
Jehle made good saves from Naismith and Berra in the closing stages but despite some nervous moments, the Scots held on for the win.
Scotland are now one point above the Czech Republic going into Tuesday's clash with runaway Group I winners Spain in Alicante.
It will be a tall order for Levein's men to take anything from the world and European champions who are going for a clean sweep of qualifying wins, but if they equal the Czechs' result in Lithuania, they will book a play-off spot.
