Euro 2012 qualifying: Liechtenstein 0 Scotland 1

Scotland’s bid to reach the Euro 2012 qualifying playoffs will go down to their final match following a 1-0 victory away to Liechtenstein.

Craig Mackail-Smith’s goal in the 32nd minute at the Rheinpark Stadion secured victory for Scotland, who are now second in Group I.

The Czech Republic are one point behind in third place after they lost 2-0 to group winners Spain on Friday.

But while the Czech Republic will be quietly confident of gaining a positive result from their last match away to Lithuania, Scotland must aim to take something from a daunting visit to world and European champions Spain.

To make the task harder for Craig Levein’s side, if the Czech Republic are held by Lithuania and Scotland lose, the former will progress to the two-leg playoff round courtesy of a superior head-to-head record.

But for now, Scotland can continue to dream of reaching their first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup in France.

They were without captain Darren Fletcher and first-choice striker Kenny Miller for the match in Vaduz.

They made a positive start despite the absentees, as Charlie Adam tested the home side’s defence with a series of corners.

The Liverpool midfielder also fizzed a ball across goal, with Aston Villa’s Barry Bannan narrowly failing to convert.

Rangers forward Steven Naismith missed three clear-cut chances for the visitors in Vaduz, before Craig Mackail-Smith headed home a cross from Sunderland fullback Phil Bardsley.

It was the Brighton and Hove Albion striker’s first international goal in his third appearance for Scotland.

FC Balzers front man Thomas Beck had enjoyed a rare Liechtenstein chance shortly before the opener.

And aside from Nicolas Hasler’s late shot, comfortably saved by Allan McGregor, the home side failed to mount a consistent challenge to Scotland’s dominance.

Levein will now take his players to Alicante on Tuesday, where they will hope to catch Spain out in the unusual setting of Hercules’ Estadio Jose Rico Perez.