Thursday Sep 29 2005 21:50
A poor second-half display consigned Scotland to another disappointing result as Berti Vogts' side were held to a 1-1 draw by New Zealand at Tynecastle.
Scotland were the better side in the first half but faded after the break as they struggled to improve on their previous match - a disastrous home defeat against Austria.
The visitors almost scored in the first minute when Gerard Davis beat Christian Dailly in the air but Jackie McNamara was on hand to clear the danger.
However, Scotland hit back well and deservedly took the lead in the 11th minute when Steve Crawford nodded Jamie McFadden's corner past Michael Utting from close range.
After the goal Scotland began to dictate proceedings with the impressive McFadden looking particularly lively.
Dailly, Crawford, McNamara and Steven Pressley all had chances to double Scotland's lead while Kevin Kyle's header was cleared for a corner by Ryan Nelsen.
However, the visitors had their chances with Nelsen and Davis going close to snatching an equaliser before the break.
Scotland made the worst possible start to the second half conceding a goal just two minutes after the interval.
Nelsen edged ahead of Kyle to steer Aaran Lines' free-kick home from close range to bring New Zealand level.
Back came a clearly rattled Scotland with McFadden having a shot saved by substitute keeper Jason Batty.
However, only a brilliant Rab Douglas save kept Scotland on level terms immediately afterwards as the Celtic keeper denied Lines following a Pressley mistake.
The game drifted towards a draw as Scotland lacked the spark and invention they had displayed in the first half.
Indeed New Zealand looked the more likely winners with Mark Burton's chip drifting just over the bar although Crawford nearly snatched an audacious winner with a crafty back-heel in the 80th minute.
There was almost a dramatic finale as Crawford's header appeared to strike Nelsen's hand only for the referee to wave away Scotland's penalty appeals before Andy Gray was inches away from turning the ball into the net.
A draw was certainly not the morale-boosting result Vogts required going into next month's crucial Euro 2004 qualifier against Germany.
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