Johnson hails last-gasp win over Scotland

England trailed from the ninth minute, but winger Chris Ashton raced on to Toby Flood’s floated pass for the game’s only try with only two minutes remaining on the clock, to claim victory.

England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson slotted a drop goal and two penalties but missed a further five attempts at goal as the 2003 champions showed little attacking ambition.

Scotland’s Dan Parks, an early replacement for fly-half Ruaridh Jackson, was man of the match for the losing side, slotting a penalty and a drop goal, while full-back Chris Paterson kicked two penalties.

The Scots picked up a bonus point but are likely to miss out on the quarter-finals. For Scotland to make it through to the final eight, unfancied Georgia must beat Argentina by eight points in the final pool B match tomorrow.

Wilkinson injury scan

England manager Martin Johnson hailed the character of his team after they rallied from 12-3 down: “We let them get the initiative. Things weren’t quite going our way. Scotland had a bit more urgency but we got ourselves back into it,” Johnson said.

“The way the guys handled half-time was really good. To come back and win the rest of the game 13-0 was good.

“There is a lot to get better at now we go to the quarter-finals. We are making it very hard for ourselves at times but we showed character to get ourselves out of a pretty tough hole.”

Team talisman Jonny Wilkinson had a torrid time and is to have a scan on a forearm injury which forced him off with five minutes remaining.The Toulon fly-half appeared to be in instant pain when he suffered the blow in a tackle.

England are also waiting to hear if wing Delon Armitage will be cited after catching Chris Paterson with a high tackle.

Scotland had to settle for a losing bonus point, but head coach Andy Robinson appeared to be resigned to his side becoming the first Scotland team to fail to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.

Massive pride

He said: “I feel extremely proud of a way a team has gone about and tested a very good opposition. I didn’t see us winning today being an upset. I thought we were the better team. “Everybody is absolutely gut-wrenched about losing.

“Scotland’s players have got to take massive pride, the whole 30, about the way they carried themselves in this tournament.
“I couldn’t have asked any more from them today, except for obviously scoring more points than the opposition – and we got so close to doing it.”

The former Bath, England and British and Irish Lions flanker congratulated Johnson on the victory. Robinson added: “I said ‘well done’. These guys have come through two tough games and won them.

“They were under huge pressure today, created by a Scotland team playing well. And they found a way to win a game of rugby.

“That’s what it’s about and ultimately that’s what we’ve got to be able to learn. These games are cut and thrust. It’s about the inches.”