Scotland failed to capitalise on their territorial advantage in their Euro 2012 opener in Lithuania as Craig Levein's competitive debut as manager ended goalless.
- Lithuania 0-0 Scotland: As it happened
The Scots looked solid and comfortable in possession but they failed to find the breakthrough despite some decent opportunities.
Barry Robson forced several saves from long range, Kenny Miller headed straight at the keeper from 12 yards and Steven Naismith lacked conviction when presented with a shooting chance on the edge of the box.
Miller got the first effort on target but Zydrunas Karcemarskas held his looping, deflected effort from long range.
Allan McGregor soon made a more impressive stop from Saulius Mikoliunas in the 18th minute. The ball broke to the left midfielder after he had scythed down David Weir with a dangerous high challenge but Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir waved play on and McGregor did well to beat away the powerful shot from 15 yards.
Scotland again came close in the 35th minute when Darren Fletcher whipped a free-kick to the back post where Stephen McManus shrugged off his marker before sending a first time volley with his weaker foot just past the far post from 12 yards.
Mikoliunas went down theatrically in the Scotland box as Scott Brown tracked his breaking run but the Turkish referee rightly waved play on.
Robson created a great chance four minutes after the break when he got away from his man and crossed for Miller, but the unmarked Rangers striker headed straight at the goalkeeper from 12 yards.
Scotland otherwise struggled to find their attacking rhythm but Steven Naismith should have done better in the 59th minute after Brown turned a Lithuanian counter-attack on its head. He fed Fletcher, whose long diagonal ball fell straight for Alan Hutton. His first-time cross fell invitingly for Naismith 20 yards out but the subsequent shot lacked power and direction and was easily held.
Scotland enjoyed some decent pressure in the closing stages but it was not to be Levein's night. Naismith hesitated when the ball fell for him 18 yards out, substitute James McFadden's cutback would not fall for a blue shirt and Miller headed well over from a difficult chance.
Source: DSG
