Scotland withstood England’s barrage to somehow lead England at half-time in the Calcutta Cup clash, but eventually failed for a 13th successive time to win at Twickenham in the RBS 6 Nations.
Mark Bennett’s first half try and two penalties and a conversion from Greig Laidlaw had Scotland 13-10 up at the change of sides, after a stunning England start that saw Jamie Joseph score a try after only four minutes.
The Scots somehow kept their line intact for the rest of the half thanks to a series of last ditch tackles by Stuart Hogg and were innovative and dangerous in attack, but England regrouped at the break and were able to close the Scots down in the second half.
George Ford went in for his side’s second try four minutes into the second half, the young fly-half added a penalty and when he did hit the post with another attempt, Scotland couldn’t clear the ball and the outstanding Jack Nowell scored a try in the corner to settle any remaining nerves.
It means the Scots still haven’t won at England’s home ground since 1983, the longest spell without a win at one venue by any team in championship history.
Scotland seemed like they would be overwhelmed in the first 20 minutes by an England side back in with a chance of the championship after Ireland’s defeat in Wales.
Luther Burrell was sent flying through a huge gap in the first minute only to try to go himself and Hogg made the saving tackle.
The full-back couldn’t stop Joseph dancing in for the opening try after Ford had drawn Matt Scott out of position, but Hogg made two more try-saving tackles, on Mike Brown and Jack Nowell to keep Scotland in touch.
From barely holding on, however, the Scots threw a counterpunch which stunned England, with captain Greig Laidlaw to the fore.
His promptings at three successive phases drew defenders and took play into the English 22, where Mark Bennett dummied his way over for the equalising try.
England restored their lead when the Scots were offside trying to stop Billy Vunipola, but a great run by Dougie Fife nearly opened up England and Laidlaw levelled matters again with a penalty for offside.
Just before half-time Tommy Seymour’s break put England under pressure again and again England were offside, Laidlaw kicking his team into an unlikely lead.
However the Scots never quite sprung any runners in the second half and instead it was Ford, spotting his defender was Euan Murray, who ghosted in under the posts just four minutes after the break.
Heroic defence from Blair Cowan, Bennett and Seymour saved the Scots but Ford booted a penalty to give England breathing space after Rob Harley was penalised at the lineout.
Scotland’s final chance went when Ford’s attempt at a penalty came back off the post, but replacement Tim Swinson fumbled the rebound and England worked an overlap for Nowell to score an unconverted try in the corner.
Att: 82, 284
England: M Brown (D Cipriani 78); A Watson, J Joseph, L Burrell, J Nowell; G Ford, B Youngs (R Wigglesworth 67); J Marler (M Vunipola 60), D Hartley (T Youngs 50), D Cole (K Brookes 67); D Attwood (G Parling 50), C Lawes; J Haskell (T Wood 67), C Robshaw (capt), B Vunipola.
Scotland: S Hogg; D Fife, M Bennett, M Scott (G Tonks 40), T Seymour; F Russell (S Hidalgo-Clyne 73), G Laidlaw (capt); A Dickinson (R Grant 60), R Ford (F Brown 60), E Murray (G Cross 55); J Hamilton (T Swinson 48), J Gray; R Harley (J Beattie 67), B Cowan, D Denton (A Ashe 55).
Ref: R Poite (FFR)