Jordan Rhodes was among the goals for Scotland's U21s on Monday as they brushed off a goalkeeping blunder to overcome Holland 2-1.
Rhodes and Wotherspoon on target for Stark's side
Jordan Rhodes was among the goals for Scotland's U21s on Monday as they brushed off a goalkeeping blunder to overcome Holland 2-1.
David Wotherspoon hit the winning goal in the 55th minute, with Billy Stark's men rewarded for their endeavour during a thrilling second half.
Huddersfield frontman Rhodes had continued his impressive goalscoring record by heading home in the second minute before Scotland were pegged back by a dubious decision from assistant referee Ilya Baryshnikov, who ruled Mark Ridgers had dropped Adam Maher's free-kick over his line.
But Wotherspoon fired home from 16 yards as the Scots produced an excellent second-half display and Stark's men held out under some late pressure.
The victory ended Holland's 100 per cent record in Group 10 and moved unbeaten Scotland into second place, one point behind Holland - who have won two of the past four tournaments - after four games.
Scotland got off to a flying start as Rhodes took barely 60 seconds to net his sixth goal in three games for the U21s after joining the squad following his full international debut against Cyprus on Friday.
The goal was created by another full international as James Forrest showed why Stark pleaded with Craig Levein to allow the Celtic winger to re-join his squad.
Forrest beat the Dutch left-back on the outside and lofted a cross towards the near post where Rhodes got across his marker to head into the corner of the net from six yards.
Comfortable
Scotland were looking comfortable on the ball and had not been opened up when they conceded.
Ridgers, who was only in the team because of Rangers goalkeeper Grant Adam's recent arrest for alleged sectarian breach of the peace, initially misjudged Maher's apparently over-hit free-kick from around 40 yards out.
The Hearts player, who is on loan at East Fife, recovered to catch the ball at full stretch before dropping it. The ball fell on the line and appeared to bounce marginally back before Ridgers held it again.
It was difficult to tell whether the whole ball had crossed the line but Baryshnikov awarded the goal despite protests.
Holland pressed for a second and created several chances down the right channel.
Luciano Narsingh sliced wide and Nacer Barazite shot into the side net under pressure from Danny Wilson.
Barazite, who failed to win a deal with Rangers following a trial last summer, then found Narsingh, who turned Paul Hanlon and looked certain to score but Ridgers parried his powerful shot.
Holland started the second half on top with Ridgers pushing over a long-range effort from winger Ola John and blocking at close range from Stefan de Vrij.
But Rhodes soon had another great chance when he met Gregg Wylde's cross at the near post but could not turn it on target under pressure.
Ahead
Scotland were ahead two minutes later. Ryan Jack made progress up the right wing before turning the ball inside for Wotherspoon.
The Hibernian midfielder fired an angled drive from 16 yards which Dutch goalkeeper Marco Bizot failed to keep out.
Scotland remained on top. Wylde headed over and Forrest saw a volley diverted just wide after turning a defender.
Rhodes almost added to his 19 goals this season with a spectacular first-time volley that fizzed inches over after Forrest had again got round his man and crossed.
Wotherspoon too was inches wide with an eye-catching effort as he hit a half-volley on the run from 30 yards.
The home side began to have more of the ball but they struggled to break Scotland down.
Forrest went off with a knock for Peter Pawlett in the 84th minute but did not seem too badly hurt.
Holland did get in behind the Scots in the closing stages but Virgil van Dijk, who had moved from defence to attack, twice finished poorly.
