Berti Vogts believes Scotland can still qualify for the finals

Scotland boss Berti Vogts conceded his side have all but thrown away the chance to win their Euro 2004 group with the shock 1-0 defeat in Lithuania.

The two sides are now locked with Germany on the same points at the top of Group Five.

And Vogts believes it is Germany who are favourites to grab the one automatic qualifying place.

"We are looking for a play-off place and we have to work very hard to do that," said Vogts.

"I think a draw would have been a realistic result, but Lithuania were very, very lucky."

The match in Lithuania was decided by a hotly-disputed penalty, which was converted in the 73rd minute by Tomas Razanauskas.

Paul Gallacher did not have any saves to make Scotland defender Lee Wilkie

"I think the referee was going directly to the penalty spot," said Vogts. "He was not looking to the linesman, and that is very disappointing to me.

"Lithuania were looking only for a mistake. Somebody made a mistake, and we lost the game. We controlled the whole game."

Vogts was given some consolation by the words of Lithuania coach Algimentas Liubinskas.

"I think they are a very strong team," he said. "I think that getting first place is still a big problem for Germany."

Liubinskas also disclosed: "After we had drawn in Germany, I told Germany we would help them by beating Scotland.

"I wanted to help Germany because my son plays there for Hamburg.

"I have only had a very short time with the team, but we have made a very big jump. I am very pleased."

Scotland defender Lee Wilkie could not believe his side lost and cannot wait for the return match at Hampden Stadium.

"Lithuania are obviously now our main rivals for a play-off place and we are going to have to beat them next time," said the Dundee defender.

"It was a really disappointing result, but they were not really giving us any problems.

"Paul Gallacher did not have any saves to make.

"I can't wait to get them back at Hampden and get a win against them."

Some in the Scotland camp were angered that Lithuania were awarded a penalty after Jackie McNamara appeared to clip the heels of substitute Darius Maciulevicius.

Everton defender Gary Naysmith said: "Jackie says he did not make contact.

"And we should have had a penalty of our own in the first half, when Kenny Miller went down."