IT MAY have been Scotland against Iceland at Fir Park last night, but it was a match made in Denmark as Stjarnan snatched a 2-2 draw against Motherwell.

Danish referee Michael Johansen twice changed the entire complexion of the tie with two penalty awards which blew open the second leg of this Europa League second round qualifier.

Two goals up after 20 minutes through a Josh Law double on his competitive debut, Motherwell's firm grip was yanked free when the whistler awarded Stjarnan a penalty 10 minutes before the break for a Keith Lasley handball, with the man in the middle giving the visitors their second deep into injury-time when substitute Rolf Toft went down in the box.

Olafur Karl Finsen calmly sent Well keeper Dan Twardzik the wrong way on both occasions to give the plucky Icelanders, who trounced Bangor City 8-0 in the previous round, the upper hand ahead of the meeting next Thursday in Gardabaer.

Despite the nature of both goals conceded, Well boss Stuart McCall refused to blame the referee for either award, instead pointing the finger of blame to his side's bad luck.

He said: "I've no complaints whatsoever, if anything we're fortunate Keith Lasley wasn't sent off for the second penalty after being booked at the first one.

"Both were really unfortunate how they came about. They were mad ricochets back into our box and that's disappointing. It's disappointing when you are 2-0 up to get pegged back so late, but they've had chances, and it could have been another 6-6 all here.

"It was a tough game and I don't see next week being anything different. But there's still everything to play for."

After Stjarnan hitman Veigar Gunnarsson somehow managed to miss an open goal from five yards out with a header after only just four minutes, it was the hosts who took the lead five minutes later.

A well-worked move on the edge of the box saw Lasley chip in a cross to John Sutton.

The Englishman's powerful downward header at the back post was saved low by Ingvar Jonsson, however the Stjarnan keeper could only parry the ball out to Law who slammed in his first goal for the club from four yards.

His second was only 10 minutes away. A bad slip on the near touchline by right-back Niclas Vemmelund was pounced upon by Iain Vigurs, who played a neat ball through to Law, with the former Alfreton Town man chipping over Jonsson.

However, Motherwell's grip of the game was loosened 10 minutes before half-time with the first spot-kick award of the night.

A fierce shot was driven at Lasley, who was adjudged by the referee to have deliberately handballed, with Finsen finishing low much to the delight of the 22 visiting fans occupying the 4000-capacity away stand.

Arnar Bjorgvinsson, Pablo Punyed and Finsen all should have levelled the tie before Lasley saw his late effort saved as Well pushed to kill the game off.

But the final twist was to come at the other end as Johansen pointed to the spot in the dying seconds, substitute Toft not needing much encouragement to collapse in the box under pressure from Lasley, allowing Finsen to grab his second from the spot.

"Motherwell are a strong team and probably think they can play better," said Stjarnan coach Runar Pall Sigmundsson, who refused to admit his team are now favourites to go through. We got lucky with the first penalty, but I thought after that it was pretty even."

Elsewhere, Steven MacLean gave St Johnstone a crucial away goal to take back to Perth as they held Luzern to a 1-1 draw in their Europa League second qualifying round first-leg tie.

Aberdeen and FC Groningen fought out a goalless stalemate at Pittodrie.