Late penalty earns Czechs a point in Scotland

The Czech Republic twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Scotland at Hampden Park.

Fourth in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group I and five points behind their second-placed visitors, Scotland needed victory. Kenny Miller set them on their way on the stroke of half-time and they preserved their lead until 12 minutes remained. Jaroslav Plašil drew the Czechs level and though Darren Fletcher put Scotland in front once more, Michal Kadlec ensured the spoils were shared with a last-minute penalty.

It was the Czechs who started the faster too, spurning two fine opportunities inside the opening six minutes. Milan Baroš was the first guilty party when he blazed Petr Jiráček's cutback over from close range. Jan Rajnoch also failed to test goalkeeper Allan McGregor soon after when he headed Tomáš Rosický's floated free-kick off target.

Roman Hubník then put wide as Craig Levein's side continued to struggle to assert themselves. That all changed in the last minute of the half when Miller collected Fletcher's pass and fired low into the bottom corner via Jan Laštuvka's legs.

The second half started the same as the first – with Baroš spurning an excellent opening when he sliced wide having collected Rosický's clever pass. The visitors finally found the target with 12 minutes remaining, Plašil bundling the ball in from two metres out.

The hosts came back once more, however, with the roles reversed from their opener, Miller escaping down the left-hand side and selflessly squaring for Fletcher to side-foot in at the far post.

Hampden Park was to be deflated once more, though, when Kadlec smashed into the roof of the net from the spot after Danny Wilson felled substitute Jan Rezek. Scotland are up to third but remain five points behind the Czechs ahead of their game at home to Lithuania on Tuesday.