SCOTLAND UNDER 21s' hopes of following in the footsteps of Steve Clarke's heroes ended in a Greek tragedy after a limp loss in Athens ended their qualification dreams.

Scot Gemmill's side knew a win in Greece would be enough to top the group and clinch a first qualification in 25 years, but they simply failed to show up in what was undoubtedly and by some distance their worst performance in the entire qualification campaign.

And Croatia's hammering of Lithuania at the same time saw the young Scots slump to third in the table and out, much to Gemmill's frustration.

He said: "Too many of our players underperformed. Their commitment was unquestionable, but I'm afraid we weren't good enough tonight and they know that themselves "It's a reminder of the level we are playing at. You can't just come to places like Greece and underperform and still win.

"There's no hiding place. You cannot dip. And too many of our players were not at their best tonight.

"Everyone's emotional and very disappointed, but at the same time we have to try and keep it in context.

"Over the period I think we have been really good. It's been a pleasure to work with the players. There are players here that have really progressed and matured and developed in this campaign.

"In that respect it's been fantastic for me to work with them and a brilliant experience. They have always given me everything and done what we've asked.

"But if you zoom in on the performance tonight, then it's obviously really disappointing to get this close and not be able to get over the line.

"I've told the players they need to learn to deal with this because they are all going to have good, long careers and it would be naive to think they will go through their careers without moments like this.

"You have to be able to come to places like this and get the result."

The young Scots had dreamed of emulating Clarke's side and clinch the second major qualification of a national side within the space of a week.

But the Scottish kids inexplicably turned in a timid, lame display and barely tested the home keeper all night.

The young Scots missed a couple of half chances from Allan Campbell and Fraser Hornby, but were stunned when they went a goal down in the 27th minute from a rare venture up the park from the hosts when Efthymios Christopoulos took advantage of hesitant defending in the centre of the Scottish defence to poke home a cross from captain Alexandros Katranis.

Scotland had a decent chance to level four minutes before the break when a long throw from Barry Maguire caused mayhem and the ball eventually fell to Middleton at the back post, but the Rangers winger miscued his volley and the ball trickled wide.

It summed up a nightmare first half for Scotland full of misplaced passes and overhit crosses and it didn't get any better after the break.

In fact, keeper Ross Doohan kept Scotland in it just before the hour mark with a brilliant save low down to his left from a vicious shot from Botos.

Gemmill threw on Celtic midfielder David Turnbull and NAC Breda starlet Lewis Fiorini and the Hoops kid had a glorious chance to level almost immediately when his fellow sub flicked the ball into his path. However, he smacked the ball high into the stands of Panathinaikos' Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium.

And although Scotland desperately pushed forward, they never really looked like equalising, never mind getting the two goals they needed.