Controversy as Scots crash out of contention

IN CONTROVERSIAL circumstances, Scotland tumbled out of contention for a place in the promotion pool of the European Indoor Nations Trophy after being denied a last minute penalty stroke against Slovakia, leaving the match to end in a 4-4 draw.

The draw might have been sufficient, but then favourites Poland were unexpectedly held to a 5-5 draw by Sweden, who pipped the Scots on goal difference.

It means that Scotland and Slovakia, along with Portugal and Belarus from the other pool, are consigned to the relegation dogfight with two nations for the drop.