Scotland 1 Slovakia 0: Martin Skrtel’s late own goal keeps Scots’ World Cup dream alive
Ex-Liverpool defender slides in to put Gordon Strachan's men one victory from sealing second place in England's group after sinking 10-man visitors
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MARTIN SKRTEL'S late own-goal winner put Scotland one win away from all but sealing a World Cup play-off spot.
Gordon Strachan's men poured forward after Slovakia's Robert Mak was sent off his second booking, a blatant dive midway through the first period.
And just when the Scots' pressure reached a crescendo ex-Liverpool defender Skrtel slid in to nudge the ball past his own keeper.
Now Scotland need to win in Slovenia on Sunday to guarantee second place behind group winners England.
Strachan amazingly claimed afterwards: "At no time did it feel stressful. I could see they had everything under control.
"It wasn't a problem - apart from a couple of misplaced passes.
"They had a real belief in what they were trying to do and stayed above the anxiety of the crowd - a lot of people were getting anxious."
Christophe Berra had an early header pawed away for the Scots before Mak saw red.
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The hosts upped the pressure after that, dictating ever more against the defensive visitors.
Leigh Griffifths thudded a free-kick off the bar and James Morrison was brilliantly foiled by Martin Dubravka as Scotland finished powerfully.
And Skrtel converted inadvertently, under pressure from Scotland striker Chris Martin in the 88th minute.
That clincher turned what would have been almost certain elimination into a final-game decider this weekend.
Second-placed Scotland are two points clear of Slovakia but surely must beat Slovenia - because the Slovaks have a better goal difference and are overwhelming favourites to defeat bottom side Malta at home.
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