Scotland manager Craig Levein launched a scathing attack on the referee, claiming his side were virtually kicked off the pitch by Lithuania in their Euro 2012 qualifier which ended 0-0.

Levein, taking charge for his first competitive fixture, believes his side should have collected the three points from the Group I encounter, a mission thwarted by what he claimed was a lack of protection for his players.

"The biggest frustration for me was the performance of the referee," said the coach.

"There was foul after foul and any time we got any rhythm going at all they brought us down.

"There were guys in their team with five or six fouls without getting a caution. That really disappointed me as I felt that was a tactic of theirs to try and break up any moves we had.

"I expect my players to get more protection from the referee. They were happy with a point as I think they realised we were better than them."

Despite Levein's frustrations, Tottenham defender Alan Hutton insisted the Scots can build on their performance.

The draw leaves the Scots trailing Spain at the top of the group after the world and European champions thrashed minnows Liechtenstein 4-0.

Spain are the overwhelming favourites to win Group I leaving Scotland to battle it out with the Czech Republic and Lithuania for second place and a play-off spot.

While disappointed not to get their campaign off to a winning start, Hutton said Scotland are improving under Levein and is optimistic heading into Tuesday's game against Liechtenstein in Glasgow.

"Obviously it was frustrating not to win but I think at the end of the day we can take a lot of positives out of the game," said Hutton.

"We attacked well and defended well and I think there is a lot to go on and build on for Tuesday.

"This is only our first few games with the new manager. We've got great ability in our squad and we are improving under the new manager at every training session.

"We've done well against Lithuania and I'm sure we can build on it."

Captain Darren Fletcher was left ruing a number of missed chances for the Scots, but the Manchester United midfielder says their group rivals will also struggle to pick up points in Kaunas.

"Ideally we would have liked to have won. I think we deserved to win and had a few half-chances," Fletcher said.

"Performance-wise I thought it was good and the only disappointing thing was we didn't get the three points.

"It was difficult conditions and it will be the same for the Czech Republic coming here. I think they will have a very difficult game.

"We haven't lost the match which is a positive. If we can win against Liechtenstein on Tuesday night and take four points from our first two games - ideally we would have liked six - then I think it won't be a bad start."

Lee McCulloch was handed his first cap in nearly three years and was joined by five other Rangers teammates in the starting 11 including David Weir, who at 40 became the oldest player ever to represent Scotland.

Chances fell for Scott Brown and Kenny Miller before Allan McGregor saved well from former Hearts winger Saulius Mikoliunas and Stephen McManus was inches from volleying Scotland into the lead.

The Scots continued to press in the second-half with shots from Miller and Steven Naismith but never really worried keeper Zydrunas Karcemarkas enough as they missed out on a golden chance to claim all three points.