NOT many people visit the playground of the Cote d'Azur and find it a nightmare. Craig Brown's Scotland players stood convention on its head by returning with tales of the worst night of their international careers.

Even when all the allowances are made - an atmosphereless stadium less than one-tenth full, an awful playing surface and opponents with a siege mentality - it was an appalling performance. Now Scotland's prospects of winning Group 4 have turned from rosy to a kind of jaundice yellow.

Everton's Duncan Ferguson, still seeking his first goal at full international level on this, his seventh appearance, was culpable on two occasions, even if the goalkeeper, Poom, and the defender, Leetma, will be recognised in their own country as heroes for making the blocks.

Even if the Scots did spend most of the second half - and all of the last 15 minutes - inside Estonian territory, there was a persistent lameness about their attempts to outwit their less fancied opponents. Indeed, Zelinski seemed more likely to score than anyone in dark blue when he met a low centre from the right at the near post and pushed the ball wide. It was as good a chance as [any striker could ask.

Poom, who spent two years at Portsmouth earlier in his career, was a towering influence in the home side's penalty area, but too often it was the Scots' inaccuracy in the finish which caused the lack of goals.

It was, without question, a dreadful night for Scotland. The boos which the 2,000 travelling fans voiced at the finish made the loudest noise of the entire occasion.