Scotland slipped to the bottom of the Women’s Six Nations standings with a 20-13 defeat to Italy in Parma.
Both sides were winless after three rounds of action, and an attritional opening in torrential rain saw Helen Nelson and Michela Sillari exchange penalties.
Scotland pressed as the half drew to a close and Emma Wassell stepped inside the defensive cover for a try which Nelson converted.
Italy levelled the scores in similar fashion five minutes after the restart.
Melissa Bettoni, who had scored Italy’s only previous try in the tournament, benefited from a strong forward drive to puncture Scotland’s scrambling defence.
Sillari converted and then booted Italy ahead with a penalty from 30 metres.
Italy had breathing space when Silvia Turani powered over from close range after 71 minutes and Sillari added the extras.
Nelson landed a penalty three minutes from time to put Scotland within one score of a draw, but Italy held on to leapfrog their visitors into fifth place.
