It was almost 40 years since a late John Greig goal handed Scotland a lifeline in their campaign to reach the 1966 World Cup which unfortunately fell by the wayside during the final stretch.

Today, the Scots were once again fighting for their World Cup lives following their disastrous start under Berti Vogts.

However under new boss Walter Smith, the Soccer Bravehearts had discovered a new lease of life and a new found confidence that was reminiscent of those great national sides in the 1960’s and 1970’s.

Those sides were never classed as world beaters, but they were always going to give the best sides a run for their money - especially at Hampden and even pull of a memorable win or two into the bargain.

And in front of a packed Hampden Park, 11 Scotsman walked onto the field to a rip roaring reception from the Tartan Army, confident of not only holding on to their World Cup dreams, but rewriting the form books as well against one of the World’s top sides.

But no one was prepared for the start that awaited them when Kenny Miller, in one of his best games in a Scotland Jersey, delivered a text book header in 13 minutes to give the Scots an early lead.

And having caused the Italians an endless amount of programmes during the first 45 minutes, the roles were reversed in the second half, with the Scots not just having to cope with some poor officiating, but endless pressure from the Italian attack.

And not surprisingly Fabio Grosso tied the scoring for the Italians in 76 minutes and could have so easily have won the match but for some first class performances from the home defence, in particular goal keeper Craig Gordon, who continues to grow in stature for his club and country.

“I could not have asked for more in terms of commitment,” said Walter Smith. “We got off to a decent start with a terrific move and a terrific goal.”

“I feel a little disappointed losing the goal in the manner that we did, on a scrappy set play.”

And the Scotland Boss also gave a special mention to striker Kenny Miller, who after struggling to find the net at national level, has finally made the number nine shirt his own, with a gutsy display and a superbly taken opener.

“Kenny Miller’s performance was typical of what we got off everybody in the team,” said Smith. “He had been getting some unjust criticism and now he has scored a couple of goals and is now getting the praise that he deserves.”

Any hope that this squad were going to match the achievements of the class of 1965 seemed like a tall order when the Italians pounced during the opening minutes after Francesco Totti's free kick fell into the path of the unmarked Christian Zaccardo, whose strike at the back post was superbly saved by Gordon.

Gordon then came to the rescue in the ninth minute easily blocking a low drive from Christian Vieri. Then instead of collapsing under the early pressure, the Scots hit the Italians with the classic sucker punch in 13 minutes.

Darren Fletcher laid the ball to Paul Hartley at the far side, who sent in the perfect cross into the box, which was met with a text book downward header from Miller sending the ball past Anglo Peruzzi for a shock opener.

The Italians stepped up the pace, throwing everything at the Scots, who looked to hit the visitors on the break, but could not put any real pressure in front of the Italian goal mouth.

The Italians continued to look more like the class outfit they are supposed to be, putting the Scots under intense pressure.

And with 8 minutes of the first half remaining, they were aided by the first of many poor decisions from the referee, awarding a free kick on the near side which was sent into the box for Francesco Totti to get in the close range header, which surprisingly ended over the bar.

At the start of the second half, the Scots seemed to have lost the energy that that troubled the Italians in the first 45 minutes and were soon clinging desperately to their one goal lead as the visitors threw everything in attack.

And they should have tied the scoring on the hour mark, when Graham Alexander gifted the ball to Totti, who then ran through on goal and picked out Christian Vieri at the back post.

Unbelievably, the Milan striker put the ball over from close range and maybe this was going to finish in the same vein as Scotland’s historic win over Holland when they scored an early goal and hung on for grim death for the rest of the game.

But not surprisingly the class of the visitors shone through eventually in 76 minutes when Gordon made a superb save to keep Fletcher's header from Totti's corner ending up in the back of his own net, but Grosso pounced at the back post to tie the scoring.

The point still keeps the Scots World Cup hopes alive and now face a must win game against Norway.

However they will be without the services of Christian Dailly, who was suspended after picking up his second yellow card, but are expected to welcome back from suspension, Hearts Captain, Steven Presley.