Scotland U21s 2-0 Czech Republic U21s: Hosts cuts gap at top of Euro group

Captain Ross McCrorie rounded off the win in the final 10 minutes

Scotland Under-21s took an important step towards qualifying for a first European Championship since 1996 with a win over group leaders Czech Republic.

Fraser Hornby's fine first-half strike edged Scotland in front.

And captain Ross McCrorie ensured they move to within a point of the visitors, with a game in hand, after his late goal.

The Group Four winners will qualify for next summer's finals.

Scotland on Tuesday face a trip to take on winless San Marino, which provides an opportunity to emphasise their qualifying credentials.

The five best runners-up with the best record across all nine groups will also qualify for the Euros in Hungary and Slovenia.

Scot Gemmill's side have conceded just two goals in their seven qualifiers and their stern defence kept the Czechs at arm's length for the majority of the match, with the visitors largely restricted to set-piece attempts.

Scotland rarely threatened, but Hornby's goal was a shining moment of quality. The Stade Reims striker controlled the ball on the edge of the box, played a one-two with Rangers' Nathan Patterson before firing in off the post.

The former Everton man had a hand in the second goal, as his back-heel flick in the box eventually fell to McCrorie to steer the ball into the net and cap a fine win.

Scotland Under-21 manager Scot Gemmill: "We're trying to be as competitive as we can, but we're also trying to develop the players as best we can.

"We fast-tracked three under-19s to play, we had eight players missing. It really shows there's good talent in the country and they're playing at a really good level that it's brilliant to give them the opportunity to play on this stage against that level of opposition. So a great night for everyone."