Scotland lost out on top spot in their Under 17 Euro Championship qualifying group after suffering a last gasp defeat to Croatia.
But the young Scots are still heading for the Elite Stage of the qualifying campaign in March having done enough to finish second in Group 7.
Brian McLaughlin's side secured that with a 2-1 win over Iceland on Friday - both goals coming courtesy of Bayern Munich's former Celtic youngster Liam Morrison .
Tonight's clash with Croatia was thus a battle to see who would finish top of the pile with the sides locked on six points from two games.
After a goalless first half at Forthbank the young Scots fell behind to a Viktor Kanižaj goal on 69 minutes.
However McLaughlin's starlets drew level five minutes later when Aberdeen youngster Kevin Hanratty netted from the spot after coming on as a substitute.
It looked very much as if the match would finish level - meaning Croatia would top the group on goal difference.
But with the Scots searching for a winner they were struck down in the 90th minute when Ivan Šaranić netted the winner.
Scotland now await the draw for the Elite qualifying round with those fixtures set to take place in March.
Scotland: Hogarth, Devine, Watson, King, Morrison (c), Fairley, Mellon, Mochrie, Thomson, Murray, Ramsay.
Subs: Ritchie, Smith, Carse, Coulton, Lowry, Nelson, Hepburn, Duncan, Hanratty.
