CHRIS Iwelumo marked his international debut with the worst miss of his career as Scotland were held to a goalless draw in their World Cup qualifier against Norway.

The striker came off the bench in a bid to salvage the hosts' hopes at Hampden - but will instead be forever haunted by the moment he blew Scotland's hopes of a vital victory.

With both sides regarded as the strongest challengers for the coveted runners-up spot behind Group Nine favourites Holland, this was regarded as a high-stakes game.

And the visitors then had an excellent chance to open the scoring when John Carew exchanged a one-two with Steffen Iversen before racing into the box, with only a timely intervention from Gary Caldwell preventing the striker from pouncing.

Brede Hangeland then saw his downward header bounce past Craig Gordon's left post from a Fredrik Stromstad corner.

Norway threatened again when Carew burst past Caldwell and unleashed an angled drive which was parried by Gordon before John Arne Riise blasted the rebound wide of target.

Scotland could have snatched the lead before the break when James McFadden whipped a great ball across goal for Morrison, who nodded over from a tight angle.

But Carew had established himself as Norway's biggest threat in the first half and it was no surprise to see the Aston Villa forward bearing down on goal shortly after the restart, his shot swiped to safety by Gordon.

The home nation responded by making a double substitution and Morrison and McFadden were withdrawn for the introduction of Steven Fletcher and Iwelumo.

The Wolves striker then squandered an incredible opportunity to mark his debut with a goal within minutes of being on the pitch.

Gary Naysmith was the provider with a superb ball across the face of goal and Iwelumo somehow missed the target from a few yards with the gaping net at his mercy.

With time running out, Shaun Maloney attempted to place a swerving shot from distance into Knudsen's far corner but the effort slipped past the upright instead.

And a full-stretch Fletcher and Iwelumo then both failed to connect with a Broadfoot ball that was begging to be stabbed home as the match ended in stalemate.