Six Nations 2008
Reaction: Marcato kicks Italy to victory
Scrum.com
March 15, 2008
Head to Head Report Report Reaction Match details
Scotland flanker Alasdair Strokosch poses with the Man of the Match trophy, Italy v Scotland, Six Nations, Stadio Flaminio, March 15 2008
Strokosch claimed the Man of the Match award despite his side's disappointing defeat © Getty Images
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Scotland flanker Alasdair Strokosch admitted Frank Hadden's side were "gutted" after their dramatic last-minute defeat to Italy in the RBS 6 Nations clash in Rome.

Italy claimed a famous 23-20 victory in the closing seconds when Andrea Marcato hit a drop goal and although Nick Mallett's men still take the wooden spoon - they needed a five-point win to overtake the Scots - Strokosch admitted there were no celebrations for the visitors.

He told BBC 1: "We're absolutely gutted. We started the tournament badly but felt we progressed with every game up to the England match (Scotland won 15-9). We hoped to build on that here.''

Allister Hogg and Mike Blair scored tries for Scotland, while Marcato did the brunt of the damage for the hosts, scoring two penalties and two conversions as well as his last minute drop. Italy had a penalty try awarded, while Gonzalo Canale also touched down.

"It was a solid performance in the first half but we took our foot off the gas I think," said Strokosch, whose side led 17-10 at the interval. We dropped our intensity. We'd had lots of bodies coming onto the ball and flying in but in the second half we didn't have too many options."

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