Derby County’s Chris Martin and Ikechi Anya came off the bench as Scotland claimed a vital 1-0 win at home to Slovakia in their penultimate 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Thursday evening.
A late own goal from former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel proved to be the difference on a tense night at Hampden Park.
The visitors were reduced to ten men midway through the first half after Robert Mak saw red for two bookable offences – but the home side left it late to claim a priceless victory.
Striker Martin came off the bench on the hour mark and nearly scored a spectacular goal from distance shortly after coming on, but saw his strike come back off the crossbar.
Fellow Ram Anya came was introduced into the action for the final nine minutes – and the Derby duo combined with a minute to remaining to fire the Tartan Army to victory.
Anya drove into the box from the right-hand side and crossed low towards Martin at the near post, whose presence was enough to force Skrtel to turn the ball into his own net and send the home supporters into raptures.
Scotland now sit second in Group F ahead of their final qualifier against away to Slovenia on Sunday, knowing a victory will secure second place and play-off campaign to reach the 2018 World Cup in Russia.