Morten Gamst Pedersen's stunning double left Scotland's World Cup qualifying hopes hanging by a thread after a resounding thrashing at the hands of Norway.

George Burley's men now probably need to win their remaining two matches, at home to Macedonia and runaway group leaders Holland to keep their dreams alive.

Pedersen struck a goal in either half to inspire the Norwegians with Erik Huseklepp and John Arne Riise also on the scoresheet.

But it was an all action two minutes in the first half which sealed the Scots fate. Centre back Gary Caldwell earned himself a red card after two fouls in as many minutes.

And when Riise smashed home a deflected free kick after Caldwell's second offence Burley's men's hopes were all but over.

It had all looked much rosier for the visitors early on when Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher and Kenny Miller wasted golden opportunities.

But after Caldwell's two minutes of madness the Scots were never in it. The home side exploited the space at the back to land a sucker punch on the stroke of half time when Pedersen added his first.

Burley's men fought valiantly after the break but Huseklepp turned in the third after good work from John Carew and Blackburn midfielder Pedersen put the icing on the cake with the last kick of the game.