LAWRENCE SHANKLAND netted twice in the last five minutes to complete a superb comeback as Danny Lennon's first game as Scotland Under-21 caretaker manager ended in a 2-1 victory over Hungary.

The former St Mirren manager was in charge for the young Scots after Billy Stark's departure last year, and has high hopes of landing the job permanently.

And his team, including the likes of Sporting Lisbon superkid Ryan Gauld, have given him a great chance of getting it after a deserved win in Tatabanya yesterday.

The Scots were up against a side who have qualified for the Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand this summer, yet Lennon's side more than matched the Hungarians for most of the game until they were outdone by goal from substitute Bence Szenes in the second half.

But they grabbed a deserved leveller with five minutes left thanks to debut boy Shankland, who netted after coming on as a half-time sub.

And the Aberdeen youngster, who has been scoring for fun in the Development Squad, grabbed the winner in stoppage time to hand Scotland a morale-boosting win.

Now Lennon must wait to see whether new SFA Performance Director Brian McClair gives him the role full-time when he takes charge in the summer, but he's made it clear he would love the job.

He said: "I've made no secret of the fact that it's a job I would love. I've treated it as if I'll be here for the long-term. It's been a fantastic six weeks and I've enjoyed every minute of it, particularly this week.

"The players and staff have been terrific. I'd love the role full-time, but it's outwith my control. I can only do the job to the best of my ability and I'll now sit down and have a discussion with Stewart Regan from the SFA.

"Brian McClair will also have his thoughts on the performance strategy, but I want to kick on in the job."

And Lennon was delighted at his side's high-tempo performance. He stressed: I couldn't have asked for any more from the players. We tried to stay away from the term 'friendly' because these boys have to get into the habit of winning at this level.

"And winning here has given them an experience to treasure. They also showed they've got a bit of grit and determination as a Scotland team to get a result.

"I felt we deserved the victory because we were the better team in the first half and all of our subs had an impact.

"It was a fantastic debut from Lawrence. We had a lot of good performances, but to go and score two goals that win the game in your first cap, that's fairytale stuff."

Scotland could have taken an early lead after a well-worked move when Ryan Fraser and Gauld worked a quick free-kick on the left before the Bournemouth winger's cross was headed into the ground by Hearts right back Callum Paterson, but the Hungarian keeper saved the effort.

And Morton's on-loan striker from Aberdeen, Declan McManus, nearly opened the scoring in the 18th minute after fine work from Gauld, who drove forward before releasing Hearts' Sam Nicholson. His cross was headed at goal by by the striker but keeper Gergely Nagy saved again.

St Mirren midfielder John McGinn was Scotland's best player and he rattled a 25-yard effort just over the bar at the start of the second half.

But it was the home side who took a 62nd-minute lead against the run of play. Scotland failed to clear their lines from a free-kick and the ball fell perfectly for sub Szenes, who scored past Jack Hamilton.

Scotland lost their way after that goal, though, and failed to create much in the way of chances despite enjoying plenty of possession.

But they finally managed to find the equaliser with just five minutes to go with a goal made at Pittodrie. Second-half subs Cammy Smith combined with Aberdeen team-mate Shankland to level when the midfielder's looping cross was nodded in at the back post by the young Dons striker.

And Shankland won it when Caley Thistle's Ryan Christie swung in a great cross from the right and the striker bundled it into the net at the second time of asking.