Scots struggle to test dominant England

Visitors extend unbeaten run in qualifiers to 35 games

Scotland concluded their European Under-21 Championship qualification campaign with a 2-0 defeat by their England counterparts at Tynecastle.

The much-changed visitors had already qualified for next summer’s finals with seven wins and two draws.

They bossed the match, although it took until the hour-mark to get the opener through a curling free-kick from attacker Reiss Nelson before Kieran Dowell fired in a second in added time.

Scot Gemmill’s side, who had no chance of qualification from Group D, struggled with the power, pace and strength of the English, who are now 35 games unbeaten in qualifiers.

Gemmill made three changes to his side with keeper Ross Doohan, Oliver Shaw and Billy Gilmour coming in, while England boss Aidy Boothroyd changed his whole side apart from goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

The Three Lions dominated the firsthalf which began with Doohan making comfortable saves from Harvey Barnes’ 25-yard drive and a header from striker Tammy Abraham.

England tightened their grip on the game and in the 27th minute Dowell’s corner was headed over the bar by Jake Clarke-Salter.

Seconds after Scotland captain Ross McCrorie volleyed over from eight yards following a David Bates knock down after a free-kick, the visitors sped up the other end but Barnes shot over the bar.

There was no respite for the Scots as a glancing header from forward Dominic Solanke just cleared the bar before midfielder Joshua Onomah fired another effort wide.

The second half continued along similar lines.

Doohan dived to push a low drive from Barnes round the post before Scotland survived a couple of corners.

The young Scots could barely get out of their own half and after McCrorie was booked for fouling Dowell 30 yards from goal when Bates’ pass had put him under pressure, Nelson, on loan to Hoffenheim from Arsenal, curled in a wonderful freekick which gave Doohan no chance.

England refused to allow the home side to get into the game and in yet another attack by the visitors, Solanke’s untidy back post header appeared to come off the post.

A rare Scotland foray in the 84th minute saw Henderson, hitherto a spectator, save Morgan’s angled-drive before Bates’ header from the corner landed on top of the net.

Dowell made certain for England, however, with a thunderous drive from outside the box in the two minutes of added time.

Scotland – Doohan, Porteous, Bates, Taylor, Smith, Cadden, Ross McCrorie, Campbell, Shaw (Middleton 46), Morgan, Gilmour (Ferguson 61). Subs not used – Robby McCrorie, McIntyre, Mallan, Watt, Williamson.

England – Henderson, Wan Bissaka, Tomori, Clarke-Salter, Dasilva, Onomah (Foden 71), Dowell, Nelson (Sessegnon 73), Solanke, Barnes, Abraham (CalvertLewin 87). Subs not used – Gunn, Cook, Konsa, Lookman.

Referee – Marco Di Bello (Italy).

Picture: SNS Group. Scotland keeper Ross Doohan is beaten by Reiss Nelson’s curling free-kick.

Ross McCrorie shows his frustration after volleying a rare chance over the England bar.