Scotland 2-2 Czech Republic: Late Kadlec penalty leaves hopes of Levein's men qualifying for Euro 2012 in tatters

Scotland's hopes of making the European Championships in 2012 were left in tatters after two very questionable penalty calls from the referee resulted in a 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic.

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Goals from Kenny Miller and Darren Fletcher either side of a Jaroslav Plasil equaliser had given Scotland the lead with less than 10 minutes to go, but the referee controversially gifted the Czechs a penalty with two minutes left.

Jan Kadlec dispatched the penalty precisely, but there was more controversy still to come, as Christophe Berra went down under a challenge in the area, only to be booked for diving by the Dutch referee.

The first half was a fairly barren affair in terms of goalscoring opportunities, though the Czech Republic really should have found themselves in the lead before five minutes of the game had elapsed.

After Milan Baros played in Petr Jiracek down the left channel, the winger’s ball across the face of goal met the former Liverpool striker seven yards out, who then contrived to place the ball over the bar.

The Czechs were attempting to lure Scotland out and break on the counter attack, something they nearly managed twice in the first half, but good blocks from Berra extinguished the attacks.

Scotland were living dangerously in the 25^th minute however. Baros had a shot blocked well again by Berra, before taking control of the ball again. Charlie Adam put in a reckless challenge in the area and got none of the ball, but the referee gave no penalty, much to Baros’ dismay.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Scotland scored what might prove to be a crucial goal through Kenny Miller.

Darren Fletcher took control of a loose ball before shrugging off a challenge and playing Miller in, and the striker found the bottom corner via a deflection off goalkeeper Jan Lastuvka’s foot. Miller’s shot perhaps would have been saved if first choice keeper Petr Cech had been fit, but the striker will not care one jot.

Miller time | Kenny puts the Scots ahead just before the interval

The Czech Republic came out after half time with an increased sense of purpose, and were on top for much of the second half, though there were few chances chances for either side.

With Tomas Rosicky constantly on the ball and orchestrating attacks, it seemed only a matter of time until the Scotland defence was broked.

And with 15 minutes to go, the resistance finally fell. A deep cross from Jiracek on the left found its way to the substitute Jan Rezek at the back post. He controlled the ball before firing it back into the six-yard box, where Plasil managed to get something on the end of it to guide the ball home.

It looked as if the match could swing in favour of the Czechs, but in the 82nd minute, Scotland found a way back into the lead through captain Darren Fletcher.

A horrible mistake from Jan Rajnoch let Kenny Miller in, and he found Fletcher running into the area to pass the ball into the back of the net.

In the 89th minute however, the match took another turn as the Czechs found a lifeline, with Rezek going down under a challenge from Danny Wilson, and the referee pointing to the penalty spot, despite Wilson making no contact.

Jan Kadlec fired the ball home, and no goalkeeper in the world would have saved the penalty, much to the despair of the Scots.

Even more late controversy was to come in stoppage time when the referee booked Berra for diving in the area despite clear contact. Scotland were furious at the official, but their protests were ultimately in vain as the game finished all square, but with their Euro 2012 dreams all but over.