Rhodes and McCormack lead fightback for Scotland

Socceroos midfielder Marco Bresciano opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a thunderous volley from distance, before Rhodes scored on his first start in the 28th minute with a diving header from a Danny Fox cross.

Australia substitute Jason Davidson put through his own goal with a header from a Fox cross in the 63rd minute, five minutes after replacing David Carney to make his debut, before McCormack, who had replaced Rhodes, stretched the home side’s lead in the 76th minute with a drive from the edge of the box.

Wales’ preparations for their World Cup qualification campaign ended on a sobering note with a 2-0 defeat against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Llanelli.

Goals from Vedad Ibisevic and Miroslav Stevanovic gave the visitors, inspired by a terrific performance from Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko, a deserved win.

The closest Wales came to a goal was when Joe Allen hit the crossbar in the first half, while Gareth Bale also threatened sporadically, but it was a dispiriting night for the hosts.

Manager Chris Coleman, still searching for a first win in charge, had highlighted this as a key fixture with qualification fixtures looming on the horizon.

But the former Fulham boss will know there is plenty of work to be done before Belgium visit Cardiff in the Group A opener in little over three weeks.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill was happy with the spirit his side showed in the 3-3 draw with Finland at Windsor Park.

It was the first time in three matches that a goal had been scored under O’Neill’s stewardship and he praised the way his side fought back after going behind in the 78th minute, drawing level with Martin Paterson’s 84th-minute penalty.

“We started the game well and we scored two goals,” said O’Neill. “It was a great finish from Shane (Ferguson) and a good piece of play from Dean Shiels and Kyle Lafferty for the second goal as well.

“But we were a bit careless in possession and they were better in possession for longer periods of the game than we were.

“But to go from the situation of being two ahead to then going behind, I thought that in that last 15-20 minutes we showed a great amount of spirit and we deserved the equaliser.”

The Republic of Ireland conjured an admirable performance in a keenly-fought 0-0 draw in Belgrade against Serbia to consign to the past their forgettable Euro 2012 campaign.

Out-of-contract Coventry City defender Martin Cranie, who has been on trial at Leeds United, is set to sign a two-year contract with Barnsley.