Scotland Women 3-0 Poland Women
- Published
Durham striker Zoe Ness broke the deadlock for Scotland in Paisley
Scotland breathed new life into their World Cup qualifying campaign with three late goals against Poland.
Ewa Pajor tormented the Scotland defence as Poland impressed on the break in the first half.
Lee Alexander saved a second-half Pajor penalty before Paulina Dudek's second yellow card turned the game.
Claire Emslie supplied the low cross for Zoe Ness to head home, and added the second after a fine run before Erin Cuthbert scored a third.
Until Dudek's departure, it looked like an ineffective Scotland would suffer a second blow in a week, having lost 1-0 in Switzerland on Thursday.
But the win lifts Shelley Kerr's side into second in Group 2, two points above Poland and six adrift of leaders Switzerland with a game in hand over both.
Claire Emslie and Erin Cuthbert both scored for Scotland
The large contingent of Poland fans found their voice in Paisley as Pajor sent an early drive wide then forced a fine late block from Scotland captain Rachel Corsie.
Kerr brought Emslie and Fiona Brown into her starting line-up, the two wingers having scored in the last fixture at St Mirren Park - a 5-0 win over Albania.
And Emslie produced Scotland's only real moment of attacking promise in the first half with a drive that skimmed the crossbar.
Poland remained the more dangerous and Katarzyna Daleszczyk volleyed over.
After an hour, Poland were awarded a soft penalty when the ball brushed the hand of Joanne Love, but Alexander denied Pajor.
Paulina Dudek was sent off after being shown two yellow cards
Player of the match Alexander gathered an Agatha Gusciora strike shortly after.
Midfielder Little had a thunderous strike blocked by an unwitting defender, but Poland looked comfortable until being reduced to 10 players with 14 minutes remaining when Dudek took out Emslie.
The breakthrough came 11 minutes from time as substitute Ness dived to head home a low Emslie cross.
Emslie then weaved into the penalty box before delivering low into the corner with some composure to increase the lead.
Scotland were not finished yet and another substitute, midfielder Cuthbert, shrugged off a challenge before finding the net.
They must win all their remaining qualifiers, including a return fixture against Switzerland, if they are to remain in contention for a place at the World Cup for the first time.