CRAIG GORDON
Did brilliantly to fingertip Sedloski's free-kick on to the post before Naumoski side-footed home the rebound from three or four yards. Superbly saved Sumulikoski's 35-yard thunderbolt in second half after seeing the ball late.
7
GRAHAM ALEXANDER
The veteran 36-year-old Burnley defender simply did not get forward enough from right-back in the first half and, though he improved after the break, his distribution was sadly lacking when he found space in the wide areas.
4
GARY NAYSMITH
Pin-point cross into the six-yard box right on to Fletcher's head, but somehow his teammate failed to connect and the chance was gone. Much better distribution than Alexander, the left back delivered a superb second half cross.
5
STEPHEN McMANUS
Took Maznov down 25 yards out which resulted in the opening goal. On reflection, it didn't look like a foul. Was all over the place defending in the first half but improved vastly, holding a higher line after the interval.
5
GARY CALDWELL
Lucky to escape early booking after lunging into Pandev. Made fantastic saving block when Manzov got in behind and looked set to make it 2-0 in first half. Made telling interventions to prevent second goal.
6
PAUL HARTLEY
Huffed and puffed in middle of the park but never got to grips with deep-lying Macedonians. Celtic man failed to set right tempo from his deep-lying midfield position. Replaced by Commons midway through second half.
4
DARREN FLETCHER
Disappointing after great start to the season with Manchester United. Did practically nothing in the first half and, though a little more prominent in the second period, he failed to make any significant impact on the game.
4
SCOTT BROWN
Ineffectual in that first dreadful 45 minutes when he repeatedly gave the ball away. Started second half like man possessed and was the driving force for Scots before he faded out of the game again. Needs to improve his distribution of the ball.
5
KENNY MILLER
A peripheral figure up front. Clever dummy in the box on the hour mark was first noteworthy contribution. Like McFadden, had decent penalty shout turned down. Overall, not enough impact, though lacked decent service.
4
JAMES McFADDEN
Did brilliantly to make space in the box on half hour mark, side-stepping a couple of challenges, but shot was blocked. Booked for appealing against his lack of a spot-kick, even though it looked a penalty. Our most dangerous player.
6
BARRY ROBSON
Tried to replicate Sedloski's daisycutter free kick 25 yards out but weak effort went straight to Milosevski. One of Scotland's few shining lights, though, he made some good runs and testing deliveries from set-pieces.
6
SUBSTITUTES
Kris Commons (for Hartley, 64) Skinned Petrov, but apart from one very dangerous cross was largely ineffective 4
Shaun Maloney (for Robson, 75) Replaced the tiring Robson, he thumped a shot at goal in final minute. 4
Kris Boyd (for Miller, 79) Poacher's neat knock-down in the box almost found Commons. Little time to make impact 4
MACEDONIAPETAR MILOSEVSKI
Looked to have hauled down McFadden as Scots upped their game in second half and was very lucky not to give away a penalty kick. Spilled one or two crosses, but wasn't troubled nearly as much as he should have been.
5
NIKOLCE NOVESKI
Vastly experienced from his time in Germany, the Mainz defender looked unruffled and, though he had to be much more alert in the second period as the Scots upped the ante, he was largely untroubled by the task at hand.
7
ROBERT PETROV
After a decent showing for much of the game was replaced late on by Grncarov, perhaps in shame, having been skinned by Kris Commons. Before then had looked quietly composed and played the ball out from back with assurance.
6
GOCE SEDLOSKI
Hammered low free-kick towards the bottom left corner which Gordon fingertipped onto post before Naumoski side-footed rebound. Veteran SV Mattersburg defender has some 85 caps and his experience showed.
7
IGOR MITRESKI
Full back from FC Energie Cottbus did well to slide in and block McFadden's effort midway through first half. Cut inside well at times but his final ball often let him down. Was caught napping on the odd occasion.
6
VLADE LAZAREVSKI
The Polonia Warsaw man put in a hard shift, carrying out his duties with uncomplaining diligence. It didn't do him any harm that the opposition midfield were failing to trouble in the first period. Strolled through the game for most part.
7
SLAVKO GEORGIEVSKI
Assured display from the midfielder who seemed to follow his manager's orders to the letter, though in the first half he found it easier to get involved in the midfield battle than he might have expected coming into this game.
7
VELICE SUMULIKOSKI
Almost caught Scots defence out a quarter-way through the match when Pandev rolled ball sideways into his path but fired wide of the target. Yellow-carded midway through first half for flipping Darren Fletcher into the air.
7
GORAN MAZNOV
Should have been booked for theatrical dive in first half. Cleverly allowed himself to be clattered with time running out to buy some time. Composed on the ball, though had to work much harder in second half as Scots pressed.
7
GORAN PANDEV
Lazio man provided the biggest threat. The £10m-rated forward was at the heart of everything. Goes down easy, though, and booked for diving over Caldwell's leg. Scots will have been glad to see him go off with cramp.
8
ILCO NAUMOSKI
Right place at right time to sidefoot opener after Sedloski's free-kick came back off post. Some imaginative, incisive passing from gifted 25-year-old Mattersburg player to set up team-mates in the final third of the park.
8
SUBSTITUTES
Trajanov (for Naumoski., 68) On for the goalscorer but made little impact. 5
Grncarov (for Petrov, 78) Replaced Petrov late on and had little time. 5
Tasevski (for Pandev, 84) Replaced his country's star man late on in the match as the Macedonians switched to playing just one up front with clock ticking. Made the odd fruitless run at Scots defence. 5
The full article contains 1042 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
