Two late penalty calls went against Scotland as they were held to a 2-2 draw by the Czech Republic in Saturday’s Euro 2012 qualifier at Hampden Park.
Dutch referee Kevin Blom awarded the Czechs a hugely controversial 90th minute penalty, which Michal Kadlec slammed to Allan McGregor’s net. Then, in stoppage-time, Christophe Berra was booked for diving in the Czech area when he was clearly touched by Roman Hubnik and the final whistle soon sounded.
Kenny Miller and Darren Fletcher had earlier twice given Scotland the lead - with Jaroslav Plasil scoring the first equaliser for the away team, who are five points ahead of Scotland in second place in Group I. They have two games left to Scotland’s three, but the last of those three is away to world and European champions Spain.
Most of the first half saw little to excite with Craig Levein's men particularly impressive. Milan Baros and Jan Rajnoch wasted early chances for the hosts as their efforts sailed over McGregor’s bar.
Scott Brown and Miller would earn yellow cards to rule them out of Tuesday’s game in Lithuania, but Miller at least contributed a –somewhat fortunate – goal on Saturday before he sits the next one out.
The goal came right on half-time as the returning Fletcher – undoubtedly his side’s star man on the day – fed the ball to the Cardiff City forward. He had a pop and Jan Lastuvka – in goal for the Czechs as Petr Cech is injured - only helped the ball in as he tried to keep it out with his left foot.
That goal lifted Scotland players and fans alike and they had more about their game on the restart, albeit if they had to first survive former Liverpool man Baros heading a great chance off target.
The Czechs soon began to lay siege again though with Tomas Rosicky and Hubnik close to levellers, but they had to wait until the 77th minute for that goal to come. A patient passing move led to Kadlec finding Jan Rezek, who found Plasil in the box and his stomach got the final touch as the ball went past McGregor.
Scotland roared back though. Miller found time on the left wing and managed to evade his marker before playing the ball across goal, for Manchester United man Fletcher to steam in and fire across the six-yard box and in - a calm and collected finish that looked like it might win the match.
Cue controversy! Scotland Sub Danny Wilson was adjudged by Blom to have fouled Rezek, who looked to have dived, in the Scotland area. There was no question about the validity of Kadlec’s spot-kick prowess though as he blasted powerfully beyond the Scottish goalkeeper.
Then came the Berra incident which left boos ringing load around Hampden, and left Scottish hopes of grabbing second place hanging by a weak thread.