O'Connor returns in style

The Lokomotiv Moscow striker marked the end of his exile from international football with the only goal of the game at the Gerhard Hanappi Stadium.

O'Connor was last week welcomed back into the international fold after going AWOL ahead of a Euro 2008 qualifier against the Ukraine just days after a triumphant victory over France back in October during Walter Smith's reign, but the 24-year-old forward was thrown into the starting line-up tonight, alongside debutant goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

The home nation attempted to push forward straight away in a bid to stamp their authority on the friendly and the crowd optimistically screamed for a penalty in the opening seconds when Christian Fuchs went to ground under pressure from Gary Caldwell, but there appeared to be little in the challenge and Hungarian referee Zsolt Szabo signalled for play to continue.

Scotland had a decent chance to take the lead when Gary Naysmith set up Kris Boyd for the shot only to send his overhead kick just wide from the six-yard box and within seconds, the Rangers striker had the chance to make amends with a more direct effort from the edge of the box but goalkeeper Helge Payer managed to smother.

The Scotland goalkeeper was called into action when Naysmith allowed Mario Haas a shot at goal but McGregor did well to block.

Scotland could have snatched the lead shortly before the break when Boyd's effort flashed across the face of goal and O'Connor failed to capitalise after Joachim Standfest cleared the ball to him in front of goal.

Austria had the best of the possession after the break forcing a couple of corners, but staunch defending from the Scots meant Craig Gordon, who took over from McGregor at half-time, had little to do early on other than smother a long range shot from Haas.

However, it was Scotland who took the lead with 59 minutes gone when O'Connor pounced on a Boyd flick, before teeing up the shot and slotting under the body of Payer from eight yards.

Austria piled forward in search of the equaliser and Christoph Leitgeb's effort was hooked over the crossbar by Caldwell, before Markus Katzer rattled the woodwork - but Scotland held on for the win.