Lambert's dream goal gives England victory against Scotland

England 3

Walcott 29, Welbeck 53, Lambert 70

Scotland 2

Morrison 11, Miller 49

A goal on debut is special. A goal with your first touch on debut is extra special. When it's your international debut for England against Scotland, at the age of 31, having played only one season in the Premier League, it's the stuff of dreams.

So it was that Rickie Lambert came off the bench to score England's winner in the first encounter between England and Scotland since 1999. A terrific header from a Leighton Baines cross ended Scotland's sterling effort against the old enemy in a friendly that was unsurprisingly competitive.

Scotland twice went ahead: James Morrison stunned England after 11 minutes with a shot from range that Joe Hart might have saved before Theo Walcott equalised to ensure the teams went into half-time all square.

Kenny Miller's excellent strike early in the second half again found England the slower starters and playing catch-up. This time, half-time substitute, Manchester United's Danny Welbeck equalised with a header just four minutes later and thereafter England looked the more likely to take the spoils.

Enter Lambert: The Southampton striker replaced the short of match fitness Wayne Rooney on 67 minutes, and found himself mobbed by his new team mates just three minutes later after a cleanly struck header beat McGregor in the Scotland goal. He might have scored from a further couple of chances, but one was enough to cap a special night and see England finally overcome the Scots.

He may have staked his claim for selection in Roy Hodgson's squad for the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine next month, but for now, Rickie Lambert can savour a remarkable night.

As for the first taster of England versus Scotland in 14 years; this committed, pacey encounter may prove a tempting hors d'oeuvres to further courses.

England: 1 Hart 2 Walker, 3 Baines, 5 Cahill, 6 Jagielka (Jones - 84' ), 4 Gerrard (Oxlade-Chamberlain - 62' ), 7 Walcott (Zaha - 75' ), 8 Wilshere (Lampard - 46'), 11 Cleverley (Milner - 67' ), 9 Welbeck, 10 Rooney (Lambert - 67' )

Yellow cards: Walker, Walcott, Lampard

Scotland: 1 McGregor, 2 Hutton, 3 Whittaker, 4 Martin, 5 G Hanley, 6 Maloney (Naismith - 86' ), 7 Morrison (Rhodes - 82' ), 8 Brown, 10 Snodgrass (Conway - 66' ), 11 Forrest (Mulgrew - 67' ), 9 Miller (Griffiths - 73' )

Yellow cards: Snodgrass

Referee: Felix Brych
Attendance: 80,485