Debutant Lawrence Shankland handed Danny Lennon and his hopes of securing the Scotland Under-21s job full-time a boost as his late double claimed a 2-1 win over Hungary.

Former St Mirren boss Lennon was placed in temporary charge of the Dark Blues youngsters after ex-manager Billy Stark quit last November.

The 45-year-old was initially given the reins on a one-off basis for the friendly clash in Tatabanya, but he has already gone on the record with his desire to secure a long-term contract.

And his employment prospects are looking much brighter after Aberdeen striker Shankland - a half-time substitute - struck twice in the final five minutes to secure victory.

Szenes Bence had put the hosts ahead just after the hour mark, but Scotland fought back for a deserved win.

Lennon - who has been out of management since Saints decided against renewing his contract last May - spoke before the match about his delight at the enthusiasm and workrate shown by his troops in training this week.

He handed the captain's armband to one of his former Paisley proteges, John McGinn, and it proved a wise choice as the Buddies midfielder took control of the game with his brave running and clever range of passing.

Dons forward Declan McManus - currently on loan at Greenock Morton - headed straight at Hungary stopper Gergely Nagy after Hearts' winger Sam Nicholson swung over a pinpoint cross, while McGinn could only fire over after finding room on the edge of the box.

Sporting Lisbon playmaker Ryan Gauld glanced another header wide while Danny Handling of Hibernian also failed to find the target with a poorly-hit shot.

Scotland were dominating, but failed to find the breakthrough by the time they ran in at the break.

After another wayward McGinn effort, the visitors looked like they might pay for their wastefulness as Bence pounced on a loose ball in the Scots' box to fire past Jack Hamilton after 62 minutes.

The Jambos keeper denied the Hungary striker a second with an excellent diving save, but Shankland stepped up to the rescue with five minutes left, steering a well-placed header past Nagy for Scotland's equaliser.

Nagy pushed away two more chances, the first from Shankland and the other a low strike by Dundee United's Charlie Telfer, but he could do nothing as Shankland came up with the winner as he bundled home from close range in stoppage time.

Lennon will now hope the result is enough to convince Hampden bosses he should still be the man in charge when the Scots kick-off their qualifying campaign for the 2017 European Under-21 Championships in Poland away to Northern Ireland on September 5.