Group B/Italy 2 Scotland 0:Scotland's Euro 2008 qualification hopes suffered a blow as they lost to two Luca Toni goals in Bari.

Confidence had been high after Saturday's 2-1 win over Georgia saw the Scots remain at the top of Group B, along with France.

But a Toni double gave the world champions a much-needed victory after four months out of action and just two previous wins in the group.

Scotland will now have to turn their attention to their trip to the Faroe Islands in June in a bid to steer their campaign back on track.

Manager Alex McLeish opted for a 4-5-1 formation, with Kenny Miller handed the lone striker role. That meant Kris Boyd and Craig Beattie both had to settle for a place on the bench, despite their goals against Georgia on Saturday.

Steven Pressley was also named as a substitute after missing the 2-1 win at Hampden through suspension, with McLeish keeping faith with Stephen McManus.

Scott Brown was given his first start after an impressive display against Georgia.

Italy took the lead after just 12 minutes when Toni won a free-kick on the edge of the box from a Stephen McManus foul.

Massimo Oddo flighted the ball into the box and Toni left goalkeeper Craig Gordon with no chance with a header from 10 yards.

Scotland were under pressure throughout but any hopes of a comeback were shattered when Toni grabbed his second goal of the night after 70 minutes.

Gennaro Gattuso drove the ball forward to Mauro Camoranesi, whose cross was met by the Italy striker and he did well to send a header past Gordon.

ITALY:Buffon, Oddo, Cannavaro, Materazzi, Zambrotta, Gattuso,De Rossi, Camoranesi, Perrotta, Di Natale, Toni. Subs: Abbiati,Barzagli, Ambrosini, Tonetto, Pirlo, Del Piero, Quagliarella.

SCOTLAND:Gordon, Graham Alexander, Naysmith, Weir, McManus,Ferguson, Teale, Hartley, Brown, McCulloch, Miller. Subs: McGregor, McNamara, Pressley, Boyd, Beattie, Maloney, Dailly.

Referee:F De Bleeckere (Belgium)