Caucau gave the Scots a real scare (Getty Images).

Ian McGeechan claimed his side's effort to secure Saturday's narrow 22-20 victory over Fiji was the "best" of their World Cup campaign.

The Scots looked certain to tumble out of the tournament after an uninspiring performance in which they had been humiliated by the blinding pace of flying Fiji winger Rupeni Caucau.

But right at the death, McGeechan's men were saved by a professional foul from Api Naevo which earned the lock 10 minutes in the sin-bin and provided Scotland with the platform to launch the line-out drive from which Tom Smith eventually went over to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

It was cruel luck on the Pacific Islanders, who had lead 14-6 at half-time.

But McGeechan claimed: "It was the best [effort] because it was the most vital.

"A lot of credit should go to the players for the way they controlled and played it.

"My only concern was that we would be to up-tight to play and thankfully that wasn't the case.

"Fiji played played particularly well in the first 20 minutes and we weathered that and I was pleased with the way the players stuck at it.

"We're in the knock-out stages now and we don't expect any easy games."

Once Scotland had fought their way back into the game and taken the lead through Chris Paterson's boot, McGeechan was then disappointed his players stepped off the gas.

"In the second half we controlled the game well," he claimed.

"We worked so hard to get in front and gain control and then we made a couple of mistakes which meant the rugby was in the wrong part of the field, where penalties can occur, so we all felt frustrated.

"I'm so pleased with the players because they just kept working and working and working, and the match was in the balance until the last 15 minutes.

"I've said that games aren't won until the last 10 minutes and unfortunately they took me too literally."

McGeechan took a gamble going into the game by choosing Paterson at fly-half, but was delighted with the way he responded to the challenge of starting the position for the first time in his Test career in such a crucial match.

"We're delighted with the way he played," said the Scotland coach.

"I thought his kicking game was excellent. We got control and started to play the game in the areas we wanted to play."

Scotland number eight Simon Taylor was, meanwhile, making no apologies for only barely escaping with a win.

He declared: "Scotland have been perceived for a while as gallant losers and if you say we got out of jail, well who cares?

"They may have played some pretty good rugby, but we controlled the game and got the win."

Winger Kenny Logan, due to retire after the World Cup, was pleased with the general performance.

"I thought we played well and I'm looking forward to next week," said Logan.

"It's a cup final every week for us now."

Assistant coach Jim Telfer added: "I was quite happy with the way the forwards were going and we destroyed their scrum.

"The line-outs weren't particularly good in the first half, particularly defensively, but then we changed it and after that we certainly controlled it in the forwards."

Captain Bryan Redpath paid tribute to his Scotland team.

"It was very close. It shows you have to dig deep in games like this but credit to Fiji, they got two opportunities in the first half and that man Caucau just killed us," Redpath said.

"He is one of the best wingers in the world, no question. We lost a bit of rhythm at times.

"I think now we are underdogs (for the quarter-final, where they will meet either Australia or Ireland)."

Fly-half Paterson admitted they had been rocked by Fiji's early blast.

"That was too close. We dug in and fought so hard but with two minutes to spare we were able to nip over," he said.

"The team has been under massive pressure; we were written off entirely by everyone apart from us and our supporters but we came good and we are looking forward to staying her for another week.

"The start they (Fiji) gave us was something special. We are just thoroughly delighted to be staying here and not going home yet."

And try hero Smith added: "There was just an overwhelming relief, but then I looked up at the clock and saw there were still two minutes left and there was some fear as well."

Fiji coach Mac McCallion admitted he was disappointed with the result and picked out the loss of hooker Greg Smith during the first half as the turning point.

"Naturally we're very disappointed because after that first half it was there for the taking," said McCallion.

"The crucial moment was when we lost our hooker, Greg Smith.

"We lost our composure after that and Scotland came back strongly at us."

When winger Rupeni Caucau picked up an injury, McCallion had considered replacing the double-try scorer.

"I was going to substitute him, but he was pretty keen to stay on," revealed McCallion. "I think we was keen to pull another one out of the bag for us."

As for Scotland's future in the tournament,McCallion was not optimistic.

"I think they will struggle," was his diplomatic reply when asked if Scotland have a chance of overhauling Eddie Jones' men in Brisbane next Saturday.

"It's possible I suppose, but they would need a lot of luck."