Albion striker Craig Mackail-Smith scored his first goal in international football to save Scotland from embarrassment tonight.

Mackail-Smith headed home in the 32nd minute to give the unimpressive Scots a crucial 1-0 win over Liechtenstein in rainswept Vaduz.

The hard-earned victory keeps alive Scotland's realistic hopes of going to Euro 2012.

Mackail-Smith kept himself onside as Phil Bardsley chipped the ball into the box, then rose above novice defender Daniel Kaufmann to head over the advanced keeper.

It was the perfect way to mark his first start for his country and his first action of any kind in a competitive fixture.

He was booked for a foul soon after his goal but went on to complete the full 90 minutes.

Tonight's win eases Scotland into second place in their group, a point clear of the Czech Republic. The sides have identical goal differences.

That means Scotland will go into a play-off if they match or better the Czechs' result on Tuesday.

The Scots play Spain in Alicante while the Czechs go to Lithuania.