Last updated on .From the section Women's Football

Scotland's chances of qualifying from their Women's World Cup group hang by a thread after defeat by Japan.

Shelley Kerr's side had rarely been out of their own half by the time Mana Iwabuchi blasted a shot past goalkeeper Lee Alexander after 22 minutes.

With Japan dominating, Rachel Corsie was ruled to have hauled down Yuika Sugasawa and the striker sent the spot-kick low into the corner.

A late Scotland rally produced a fine long-range Lana Clelland finish.

But consecutive 2-1 defeats leave Kerr's side bottom of the table without a point and needing to beat Argentina in their final game if they are to have a chance of making the knockout stage as one of the four best third-placed sides.

For former world champions Japan,who opened with a disappointing draw, it ends a run of five games without a victory and puts them second in the group.

Tale of three penalty claims and insipid starts

There is no doubt that Japan, ranked 13 places above Scotland at seven in the world, deserved their victory at Stade de la Route de Lorient in Rennes, but Kerr's side were left to rue another insipid first half and three penalty decisions that went against them.

The Scotland head coach obviously had a gameplan in mind to beat the Japanese, with her starting XI showing four changes from the one that lost to England, including the dropping of winger Claire Emslie to the bench despite her goal in the opener.

Scotland were looking to be more of a threat up