Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli is still waiting for his first victory at Hampden Park after Slovenia recovered from a goal down to win 2-1 in the Nations League.
Scotland would have moved into second place in Group B1 with victory, but Ryan Christie’s opener was overturned by goals from Aljosa Matko and Danijel Sturm.
Pocognoli made one change to the side that started previously, bringing Christie into the starting XI in an attempt to add creativity. The decision initially paid off when the Bournemouth midfielder backheeled the ball into the net in the 31st minute.
Jack Hendry, returning from suspension, headed against the post after a corner, and although Oli McBurnie failed to convert the rebound, Christie reacted first to put Scotland ahead.
Earlier, Christie had found John McGinn outside the area, but his first-time effort was blocked. Slovenia also threatened when Danijel Sturm cut the ball back to Adam Cerin, whose effort was cleared off the line by Hendry.
The visitors almost levelled before half-time. Zan Vipotnik looked set to place a shot into the bottom corner, but Andy Robertson slid in to prevent a goal.
Scotland had an opportunity to extend their lead early in the second half when Ben Gannon-Doak drove forward and laid the ball into Christie’s path. However, Jan Oblak saved his shot.
Slovenia then turned the match around in a decisive 14-minute spell. Matko raced through in the 57th minute and placed his finish into the bottom-left corner after Robertson had cleared an effort from Vipotnik.
Sturm then missed a clear chance to put the visitors in front, shooting over the bar. Matko appeared to have scored again soon afterwards, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Slovenia did not have to wait long for a second goal. Matko supplied the ball to Sturm, who guided it home in the 72nd minute.
Scotland appealed unsuccessfully for two penalties late on. Findlay Curtis was bundled over after carrying the ball into the area, before Josh McPake went down in a similar incident two minutes later, but both claims were waved away.
The result leaves Pocognoli with just one win from four matches during an extended international break and means Scotland remain without a home victory under the Belgian.
Scotland return to action next month for their final Nations League Group B1 fixtures, against North Macedonia and Switzerland.
