Scotland suffer World Cup setback

Updated 16.19 Sat Sep 06 2008

Keywords: World Cup, football, Scotland, Macedonia

Scotland have suffered a disappointing start to their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-0 defeat in Macedonia.

The 1,000 travelling supporters who made the trip to Skopje witnessed the worst possible start when Scotland found themselves trailing with just five minutes on the clock.

The thousand travelling supporters who made the trip to Skopje witnessed the worst possible start when Scotland found themselves trailing with just five minutes on the clock

The Macedonians earned a free-kick just outside the area when McManus was deemed to have fouled Goran Maznov, and Goce Sedloski stepped up for the set-piece.

His effort was touched on to the post by goalkeeper Craig Gordon but Naumoski pounced to rifle home the rebound from six yards.

Scotland coach George Burley had his preferred team in mind for several weeks ahead of this match and there were no real surprises when his starting XI was revealed.

Kenny Miller and James McFadden both started and were given the task of getting the goals despite a less than inspiring partnership in last month's drab goalless friendly against Northern Ireland at Hampden.

And neither was to register a goal once again as the searing temperature in the Macedonian capital took its toll.