Scotland kept up their bid to qualify for next summer's UEFA Under-21 Championship with an impressive 3-0 victory in Lithuania.

Goals from Scott Arfield, Ross McCormack and Kevin McDonald ensured Billy Stark's side moved up to second in Group 6 on goal difference, two points behind leaders Finland.

After a poor start to the campaign, Scotland have now won four straight qualifiers and have two games left to secure their place in the play-offs.

Stark's team went into the match - held in the small industrial city of Marijampole close to the Polish border - with a game in hand over Finland and second-placed Denmark.

Scotland took control as early as the fourth minute when Falkirk midfielder Arfield opened the scoring with a header after a cross from McDonald hit the bar and wrongfooted Lithuania goalkeeper Giedrius Arlauskis.

Tomas Vysniauskas came close to levelling immediately with a shot which went close to the top right corner.

There was a blow for the visitors when Aberdeen's Charlie Mulgrew was carried off on a stretcher following a tackle in the 28th minute. He was replaced by Hearts forward Calum Elliot.

McCormack doubled Scotland's lead in the 39th minute, weaving his way into the area before finishing into the bottom corner.

A defensive lapse almost let Nerijus Valskis pull a goal back but his volley flew over the bar.

Lithuania started the second half on the front foot, Scotland forced to clear the ball off the line at one stage.

But they made the game safe on the hour mark after a goalkeeping fumble saw the ball bobble into the penalty box, allowing McDonald to poke it home.

Scotland went close to adding another to their tally in the 77th minute after Elliot blasted the ball at goal, forcing a brilliant reflex save from Arlauskis.

From the resulting corner, another heroic save from the Lithuanian goalkeeper prevented McCormack's shot hitting the back of the net.

Elliot continued to be a threat for the remainder of the match with a headed attempt from close range that beat the goalkeeper but bounced over off the crossbar.