Scotland completed one of the greatest rearguard victories in recent Test history to beat Australia for the first time in 27 years following their 9-8 victory.

Despite being penned in their own half for almost the whole 80 minutes, Andy Robinson's men somehow held on after Matt Giteau missed a stoppage-time conversion for the Wallabies.

It completed a miserable evening for the fly-half, who kicked Australia ahead early on but missed more than once in front of goal, while numerous tryscoring opportunities also went begging. Scotland fought back through two Phil Godman penalties and a Chris Paterson drop goal before Ryan Cross scored a last-gasp try for Australia.

The home side weathered the line-out and briefly showed an impressive attacking intent before falling behind in the fifth minute to a Giteau penalty following a line-out infringement.

Far from playing into their hands, the conditions were forcing Scotland into errors. But the driving maul was one area of dominance and it won them a 27th-minute penalty which Godman arrowed between the posts to level matters, completely against the run of play.

Giteau - who had already missed a penalty and a drop goal in the first half - suffered more place-kicking woes continued two minutes after the restart, though his 40-metre miss was more forgivable.

Under all sorts of pressure, Scotland suddenly turned defence into attack when De Luca brilliantly kicked into the space behind, forcing Will Genia to concede a penalty. Godman hooked his effort just wide from a tough touchline position but he was given a chance to make amends minutes later, this time converting via the post.

The remarkable drama continued when Mitchell celebrated a 65th-minute try after more Australia pressure only to be hauled back for a forward pass, much to the delight of the Scotland fans.

Scotland continued to make crucial tackles inside their own 22 to preserve their lead. And were finishing strongly and a rare attack saw Paterson drop a goal from 25 metres with four minutes remaining.

The Wallabies set up camp five metres from the Scotland line in the closing seconds and, despite heroic defending, Cross eventually went over in the first minute of stoppage-time. Faced with the winning conversion, Giteau unbelievably failed to hold his nerve once more and Murrayfield erupted.