Scotland have picked up their first points of the Six Nations with a dramatic 21-20 victory against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
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Tommy Allan kicked the first points of the contest after a penalty was awarded to the hosts with 14 minutes played, before Scotland levelled the score with a penalty of their own through Grieg Laidlaw.
The Azzurri had the opportunity to regain their lead, but Allan scuffed his penalty and the ball went wide of the posts.
Minutes later, Allan was given the chance to redeem himself, and he did exactly that by kicking over for the points to give Italy the advantage in Rome from their third penalty.
On the brink of half time, Sergio Parisse burst forward before picking out Allan, who reached over the line for the opening try of the match. The 20-year-old brushed himself down to kick over the extras to put Italy in a stronger position heading into the interval.
Laidlaw's penalty shortly after the restart closed the gap on the home side's lead, and it soon got better for the visitors as Alex Dunbar charged towards the try line before diving over to score Scotland's first try of this year's Six Nations.
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Laidlaw failed to convert from a tough angle, but shortly after Dunbar run from inside Scottish territory to score his side's try of the afternoon, which was awarded after the referee consulted with his officials.
Duncan Weir kicked over for three more Scottish points, taking over duties from Laidlaw, who was off the pitch.
With 10 minutes remaining and the match delicately poised, Joshua Furno crossed over to score his first international try for Italy, with Luciano Orquera adding the extras from his boot to give the Italians a slender advantage.
There was still time for one late twist, however, as a Weir drop kick went through the posts to give Scotland their first points of the campaign and leave Italy bottom of the standings.
Daniel Lewis
