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EARLY GOAL SINKS SCOTS IN SKOPJE

EARLY GOAL SINKS SCOTS IN SKOPJE

Macedonia celebrate the only goal of the game.

Scotland suffered a disappointing start to their World Cup qualifying campaign when they slumped to a 1-0 defeat against FYR Macedonia in their opening match.

The home side took the lead after just five minutes and Ilcho Naumoski's strike proved to be decisive as Srecko Katanec's men held on to claim all three points.

The searing temperatures in Skopje were always going to be an issue for the Scots and they lacked a cutting edge for the remainder of the game, failing to find the goal that would at least have allowed them to put an early point on the board.

Scotland boss George Burley felt his side had done enough for a draw.

Burley, still without a win four games after taking over, insists his side's improved second-half display deserved more.

He told Setanta Sports 1: "We're disappointed to lose but all of the second half I thought we dominated the game.

"We kept battling away until the end and I thought they deserved something out of it."

Scotland were denied what appeared two good penalty shouts in the same attack when Kenny Miller and James McFadden were brought down in the box.

"I spoke to the boys and they thought it was a stonewall penalty," said Burley, who refused to criticise a referee he had expressed concern about in the build-up to the match.

"Overall, the referee had a good game. Maybe that decision he got wrong."