Scotland manager Alex McLeish admitted he and his players were "really hurting" after their Euro 2008 dream was cruelly shattered by Italy.A 2-1 defeat at Hampden eliminated McLeish's side and sent Italy through to next summer's finals.

At 1-1, Scotland were still in with a chance, but Christian Panucci's last-minute header from Andrea Pirlo's free-kick - a set-piece which should not have been awarded to the Azzurri - shattered Scottish dreams.

Alan Hutton was clearly barged over by Giorgio Chiellini but the Italians were awarded the free-kick, despite being the offenders, and made the most of their good fortune.

McLeish said: "I could go 'radio rental' (mental) here but I'll resist that temptation.

"It was a very poor decision. I couldn't understand why our man in charge of the ball ended up getting a free-kick against him.

"Alan Hutton put his body across the guy and the guy barged him. How the assistant referee can give that decision against Scotland - it defies belief."

Scotland fell behind in the second minute but equalised midway through the second half through captain Barry Ferguson.

James McFadden almost grabbed a late goal when he slid in but knocked substitute Kenny Miller's cross just wide, and then came the cruel twist.

Scotland were hoping to reach a major tournament for the first time since the 1998 World Cup.

"I can't say it doesn't matter, of course it matters, we're really hurting," McLeish said.

"We were so close, if Faddy's chance goes in then Italy are probably out of the tournament."

McLeish told BBC Radio Scotland: "We had the Italians on the ropes late on in the second half with Faddy's shot, Kenny's square ball and my life flashed before me and I thought, 'It's the winner'.

"I can't blame anybody. They've been brilliant for us, the whole bunch of players, and the Italians go up (the pitch), they get a dodgy decision."

McLeish admitted Scotland were slightly short of their best, however it was a courageous second-half performance which gave them a chance.

"We have to be absolutely brilliant to win these games," he said. "We were not brilliant today but I thought we were very good."

McFadden slammed the free-kick decision and blamed referee Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez.

He said: "After all the hard work we've been absolutely robbed by the referee.

"I think he was shocking. Coming from the Ukraine game, people didn't want us to qualify and they've got what they wanted."

The Everton striker thought Scotland would at least draw the game, after pulling themselves level against the fading Italians.

"They crumbled and it was up to us to kick on and I thought we did," McFadden told BBC Radio Scotland.

"I had a great chance and it could have been different if I put that away."

He added: "I'm bitterly disappointed. We think we deserve to be at a major championships."

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