Wales suffered in their first match during Uefa under-19 Championship qualifying in North Wales.
An 85th minute penalty, converted by Billy Gilmour, earned Scotland a 2-1 victory at Belle Vue, Rhyl.
Manager Paul Bodin expected Scotland to provide the toughest test for his young Wales side in this qualifying tournament and the visitors started brightly at Rhyl with Glenn Middleton causing problems for Wales on the left.
Gilmour showed his set-piece prowess in the early exchanges tested goalkeeper George Ratcliffe with a well-struck free-kick in the opening few minutes.
Gilmour continued to ask questions of the Wales defence from corners, but Ratcliffe and his defence were up to the challenge.
https://twitter.com/Cymru/status/1062779574197600257
Zak Rudden had Scotland’s best chance of the first half after nine minutes, but his close-range shot was superbly saved by Ratcliffe.
The save gave Bodin’s team a visible lift, but an enforced early change saw striker Daniel Griffiths replaced by Christian Norton shortly after Ratcliffe’s save.
Wales began to settle with Joseph Adams testing Scotland on the left, while the creative Dylan Levitt combined well with Brennan Johnson and Norton as Wales began to make an impression on the match.
Scotland showed their attacking intentions early in the second half and it was Gilmour causing problems when his shot was blocked on the line by Ben Cabango after 55 minutes.
Scotland went ahead when a mistake by Ratcliffe allowed a back pass from Brandon Cooper to roll into the net on the hour mark.
Wales reacted in the right way and equalised after 68 minutes when Neco Williams made a charging run forward and drilled a fine effort past goalkeeper Mullen, with the help of a deflection.
The two goals set up a competitive finish to the game, but it was Scotland who emerged winners when Gilmour converted from the penalty spot on 85 minutes.
Wales pressed hard in search of an equaliser, but Scotland held on.
However, Bodin will be able to take plenty of positives from the match into the next game in the group as Wales take on Sweden at Bangor on Saturday (3pm).
In the other group four fixture played Sweden won 2-1 victory against San Marino.
Wales: George Ratcliffe, Neco Williams, Morgan Boyes, Ryan Reynolds (capt), Ben Cabango, Brandon Cooper, Luke Jephcott, (Jack Vale 88), Dylan Levitt, Daniel Griffiths (Christian Norton 9), Brennan Johnson, Joseph Adams.
Subs not used: Adam Przybek, Sam Bowen, Ryan Stirk, Ryan Astley, Jay Foulston, Lewis Collins, Lewis Clutton.
Both the group winners and runners-up will advance to next year’s Elite Round. The finals will be held in Armenia in July 2019.
2019 Uefa Championship qualifying round
Results and fixtures:
Wednesday November 14: Wales 1, Scotland 2 (Belle Vue, Rhyl); Sweden 2, San Marino 1 (Bangor City).
Saturday, November 17: Scotland v San Marino (Belle, Vue, 2pm), Wales v Sweden (Bangor City, 3pm).
Tuesday, November 20: Wales v San Marino (Bangor City FC, 3pm), Sweden v Scotland (Belle Vue, Rhyl, 3pm).
Full Wales squad: Adam Pryzbek (West Bromwich Albion), George Ratcliffe (Cardiff City), Ryan Reynolds (Cardiff City), Jay Foulston (Newport County), Lewis Collins (Newport County), Morgan Boyes (Liverpool), Neco Williams (Liverpool), Ryan Astley (Everton), Ben Cabango (The New Saints, on loan from Swansea City), Brandon Cooper (Swansea City), Joe Adams (Bury), Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest), Luke Jephcott (Plymouth Argyle), Christian Norton (Southampton), Isaak Davies (Cardiff City), Jack Vale (Blackburn Rovers), Dylan Levitt (Manchester United), Ryan Stirk (Birmingham City), Sam Bowen (Cardiff City), Dan Griffiths (Cardiff City).
Attendance: 436.
Referee: Juri Frischer (Estonia)
