Scotland win, but are denied vital goal in bid to reach World Cup

Scotland beat Switzerland 2-1 in their Women’s World Cup qualifier at St Mirren Park but fell agonisingly short of taking pole position in Group Two.

Scotland needed to beat group leaders Switzerland by two clear goals to have their qualification fate in their own hands and they secured a dream start.

Goals from Erin Cuthbert of Chelsea, the 19-year-old scoring her fourth of the campaign, and Kim Little of Arsenal gave Scotland a 2-0 lead after six minutes, but Lara Dickenmann pulled a goal back from the restart.

It was end-to-end action for much of the second half as Scotland pushed for the goal that would send them top of the group.

Striker Jane Ross was brought on, as Shelley Kerr made it clear they were fighting for automatic qualification.

A free-kick from the edge of the box presented the Scots with an opportunity but Caroline Weir’s 25-yard attempt was blocked.

The final 10 minutes saw more chances come to Little, as player of the match Cuthbert picked herself up from yet another rough challenge.

Another change for the Swiss was not enough to help them equalise but did prevent the Scots getting that group winning goal.

However, even if Kerr’s side win in Albania on Tuesday it means their fate is not entirely in their own hands.

They must better Switzerland’s result against Poland to win the group and advance to next summer’s finals in France.

Should Scotland fall short, they could still take one of the four play-off places available as best runners-up.

Picture: SNS. Scotland’s Kim Little scores to make it 2-0.