Defeated Scots avoid wooden spoon

After conceding a penalty try during a poor start, Scotland scored two tries in 20 minutes through Ally Hogg and Mike Blair.

That was more than they had scored in the previous seven matches. But they failed to build on it, and Marcato struck the winning kick after a poor pass by Dan Parks had gifted the Italians a second try.

Despite the encouraging first-half spell, Chris Paterson's late penalty - his 33rd successful kick in a row for his country - were the only points Scotland scored after the break as they squandered a seven-point lead.

Marcato converted a 13th-minute score, and another poor pass by Parks ended Scotland's first decent spell of possession moments later.

Scotland finally launched an attack midway through the half, and play opened up five metres out for Hogg to run over following an inside pass by Scott MacLeod. Paterson levelled following the 21st-minute try, and Parks showed his prowess with the boot by kicking a 45-yard penalty.

Despite Scotland's dominance, Italy levelled in the 37th minute from Marcato's 45-yard penalty - after MacLeod had been penalised for failing to roll away following a tackle.

Scotland again showed their willingness to run with the ball, and Blair scored their second try in stoppage time after picking the ball up from a ruck and running 25 yards under the post. Paterson converted to put Scotland seven ahead at the break.

Parks gifted Italy their second try in the 60th minute. The stand-off's pass on the left wing, well inside the Italy half, went straight to Sergio Parisse - and he broke forward, before passing inside for Gonzalo Canale to cross. Marcato levelled the scores - and Italy remained on top, with the full-back converting a 35-yard penalty in the 71st minute.

Paterson completed a perfect Six Nations kicking record - to follow his 100% World Cup stats - by levelling with a penalty two minutes later. But Italy pinned Scotland back, and Marcato won the game from a central position 22 metres out.