Scotland 1 Slovenia 0: Chris Martin strikes late to give Gordon Strachan much needed win over Slovenia
Fulham striker is maligned and was booed when he came off the bench, but has kept Tartan Army's slim World Cup qualification hopes alive
SCOTLAND'S World Cup qualifying hopes were given a late and much-needed boost when substitute Chris Martin scored an 88th-minute winner against Slovenia at Hampden Park.
Defender Russell Martin had the ball in the net early in the first half only to be punished for an infringement before striker Leigh Griffiths twice hit the woodwork.
Time seemed to be running out for Gordon Strachan's side but with two minutes remaining Martin - on for James Morrison - took a Stuart Armstrong pass and fired a low drive past goalkeeper Jan Oblak and in at the far post.
It took Scotland on to seven points from five fixtures at the the halfway stage of the campaign and into fourth place.
That leaves them two points behind second-placed Slovakia, ahead of the visit of Group F leaders England in June.
Belief appeared to slip ever so slowly as the second half entered its final stages.
Slovenia, for their part, seemed happy to make sure they held on to the point.
Ikechi Anya came on for Snodgrass in the 74th minute and with his first touch produced a tame finish from 12 yards after being set up by Forrest which allowed Oblak to smother easily.
It was another good opportunity missed by the home side, but with two minutes remaining Martin, who had replaced Morrison, took an Armstrong pass inside the box before drilling a shot in off the far post and Hampden at last came alive.