Azerbaijan hold Scotland in check

Scotland missed the chance to go clear at the top of Group 10 after being held to a 2-2 draw at home to Azerbaijan who picked up their first point in 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying despite playing for an hour with ten men.

Azerbaijan, who lost 4-0 to Scotland in Baku in November, surprised their hosts by taking the lead on 13 minutes when Nizami Hajiyev's low drive beat goalkeeper Alan Martin. Scotland hit back just after the half-hour. Tural Akhundov was sent off for handling Christopher Maguire's cross and the striker stepped up to fire in the resulting penalty.

Scotland struggled to make their man advantage tell and Azerbaijan regained the initiative on 65 minutes when Aaraz Abdullayev cut in from the left and curled a shot beyond Martin. Once again, though, their lead was wiped out, with substitute Leigh Griffiths heading in a minute later. The point moved Scotland level with Austria at the top of the section, but the result will feel like an opportunity missed for Billy Stark's side.