A laboured Scotland wheezed their way to at least a World Cup play-off spot with two games remaining by edging out the world's 100th best national team, Belarus, in front of a discontented Hampden crowd.

With fans hoping for goals against a luckless side who had conceded 13 times in Group C already, Che Adams' electric finish after 15 minutes and a late Scott McTominay sweeping shot were all that they were served up.

It could have been far worse for Steve Clarke - who took charge of a record 72nd match as men's head coach - as Evgeni Malashevich's calm finish for 1-1 was ruled out after a VAR check.

And that was before Hleb Kuchko reduced the deficit to just a single goal with a handful of injury-time minutes left to play.

The win, coupled with Denmark's victory over Greece, means Scotland are guaranteed to finish in the top two, with the Danes ahead on goal difference.

There were moments in the closing stages at 1-0 in Glasgow when booing could be heard as Belarus knocked the ball about calmly and a nervous Scotland retreated.

And those jeers returned at the end of the game, mixed in with applause, as Scotland temporarily topped the group.

It was the sign of frustration which had been simmering from the first minute as Belarus took the game to their hosts.

The smash-and-grab nature of Scotland's victory over Greece on Thursday had nobody fooled, but fans would have been hoping for a more authoritative showing this time.

Instead, Scotland have escaped from this international break with two crucial wins when it easily could - and probably should - have been much less.

The visitors threatened early, with Adams' goal coming from Scotland's first real chance. The Torino striker controlled a rifled ball, spun in a flash at the edge of the box, and slammed low to the keeper's left.

It was initially flagged for offside, but Scotland eventually celebrated.

Ben Gannon-Doak, a ball of frenetic energy down Scotland's right, scampered back and forth, and almost scored himself just before the break.

Not much changed in the second half as the Scots remained pragmatic in their approach.

A big shout and long VAR check followed Adams appearing to be hauled down in the box, but the striker was penalised for handball in the build-up.

Seconds later, Malashevich's fine finish had Hampden turning hostile. VAR was Scotland's friend once more as it identified a foul on McTominay in the build-up, with it then becoming a foe as an offside check ruled out Adams' effort.

At that point, it seemed to be a sign that a sting in the tail was still to come. Instead, McTominay's touch and shot after 84 minutes looked to dispel any hint of approaching doom.

However, the game was brought to a close with Scotland defending for their lives after Kuchko turned Andy Robertson to finish under Angus Gunn in injury time.

Scotland may have secured at least second spot with two games to play, but goal difference was always potentially a factor as they aim to secure an automatic place at next year's World Cup finals.

Right now the Scots are on +5, while Denmark are on +11, with another game against Belarus to come. It now appears the Scots are going to have to outpoint instead of outscore the Danes if they want to finish top.

That is perhaps the source of much of the ire inside Hampden. This was Scotland's chance to let loose. Instead, there were swathes of this game when they were on the back foot.

Which leads us to a more crucial point. Performances this window just haven't clicked. And while Clarke won't be complaining about the six points, there's no doubt more is needed if a first World Cup appearance since 1998 is going to be secured next month.

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke: "If you'd said at the start of this camp we'd come out with six points, everyone would've been really happy.

"But, I have to be honest, tonight I was really, really disappointed in my team. I don't think we got anywhere near the levels we can and that was really disappointing.

"We've come out with the three points, so that's one small crumb of comfort but the rest of it is a bit of a headscratcher [as to] why we were so poor."

Scotland captain Andy Robertson: "It doesn't feel good and it doesn't feel like a win at the minute. I think you can see that by our reaction, which is hugely frustrated. The performance is nowhere near where we need it to be.

"At the start of the week we would have taken the six points and we can look back in November at where we are [and be pleased with it] but walking off the pitch it doesn't feel good. It's a hugely frustrating night."

Scotland defender Scott McKenna: "Performance-wise, we let ourselves down. The only positive is that we scored two goals and managed to get three points.

"At half-time the manager came in but he was absolutely furious with us.

"We didn't win any first balls, didn't win any second balls either. Belarus probably looked more dangerous than us over the 90 minutes."

All aboard the World Cup bus to Athens.

Clarke's side head to face a Greece with little to play for in their penultimate qualifier on 15 November (19:45 GMT), before a potentially nerve-jangling meeting in Glasgow with Denmark on 18 November (19:45) - both live on the BBC.