Greig Laidlaw put the boot into Ireland as Scotland made the most of meagre possession to win a scrappy match 12-8 at Murrayfield yesterday and record their first back-to-back Six Nations victories since 2001.

Laidlaw’s four second-half penalties proved enough for the Scots, who had trailed 8-0 following debutant Paddy Jackson’s first-half penalty and winger Craig Gilroy’s try three minutes after the interval.

Ireland, who dominated possession, camped near the Scottish line in the closing stages knowing a try would put them 13-12 up but the home side stayed strong to keep their frustrated visitors out.

Scotland, who last won the competition in 1999 when it was still the Five Nations and whose last successive wins came in the foot and mouth disease-affected 2001 tournament, are third in the table with four points.

They sit behind England on six and level with holders Wales, their next opponents on March 9 in what will be a key encounter given the pace-setters will be heavy favourites to notch up a fourth successive win when they host Italy.

“We are in it up to our ears and that’s great for the fans and the team. But let’s not get carried away,” interim Scotland coach Scott Johnson told the BBC.

What most impressed Johnson was his side’s grit and determination in the face of an Irish onslaught for the vast majority of an error-strewn game.

“I’m happy for the boys because it showed a different side to us – we showed great resolve.

“We could have been well behind at half-time,” said Johnson whose team had 29 per cent of the possession.