Barney Stewart’s quickfire double helped Scotland Under-21s to a 5-2 victory over Azerbaijan in Tony Docherty’s first match in charge.
Scotland fell behind against the run of play in the 21st minute, but were 3-1 up eight minutes later after James Wilson added to Stewart’s brace.
Tyler Fletcher and substitute Bobby Wales netted second-half goals either side of a consolation goal for the visitors at Rugby Park.
Scotland moved above Bulgaria, their final opponents, in third place in Group B of the UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifiers.
But any hopes of beating Czechia to a play-off spot were earlier extinguished when the second-placed side beat Bulgaria.
Scotland started brightly in Kilmarnock and Taylor Steven’s looping volley was cleared off the line before Findlay Curtis drew a great save with a left-footed shot from 18 yards.
However, Azerbaijan took the lead with their first real attack after the hosts lost the ball from their own throw-in with Ryan Carr dispossessed. Nariman Akhundzade ran at the defence and Liam McFarlane could only help his angled shot into the net.
Scotland responded in impressive fashion as Stewart did well to adjust his body and head home a Curtis cross three minutes later.
The West Brom striker bundled home his second two minutes later after Steven headed Dylan Lobban’s deep cross back across goal.
Scotland soon went further ahead when Hearts forward Wilson headed home Curtis’ cross from six yards following a quick free-kick.
Curtis fired over from 20 yards before the Rangers winger played a major part in Scotland’s fourth goal on the hour mark.
He was felled in the penalty area by goalkeeper Sadiq Mammadzada, but Fletcher was quick to the loose ball and the Manchester United midfielder stroked home from a tight angle.
Azerbaijan came back into the game and McFarlane made a good save before being beaten by Raul Mammadov’s header following a set-piece.
However, Curtis produced a positive run and set up on-loan Dundee forward Wales to net in the 81st minute.
