Scottish Coach Ian McGeechan was clearly delighted with the final result.

They knew what they had to do and they've done it.

Scottish coach Ian McGeechan

"We knew if we could just hang on we could do it," he said.

"And the guys were magnificent. They stood up and were counted."

Clive Woodward's side started well with captain Matt Dawson again taking quick tap penalties, keeping the Scots on the back foot.

Scotland were penalised numerous times for off-side, and a number of scuffles broke out in a scrappy first quarter.

England undoubtedly controlled both possession and territory early on. But the contest became increasingly frustrating, with virtually every phase of play ending in periodic brawling.

England stand dejected as the final whistle blows

After 19 minutes without a point on the board, Hodge finally broke the deadlock with a well struck penalty from the left.

But England showed their class immediately as Lawrence Dallaglio powered over from a close range scrum, allowing Wilkinson an easy conversion in front of the posts.

Seconds later, Scotland were down to 14 men, after James McLaren was sin-binned for a high tackle on Mike Tindall.

Wilkinson made no mistake - his penalty cutting between the posts to further the England advantage.

Scotland were then rewarded with a penalty after perhaps their best period of play, driving well up the middle of the field. Hodge converted to double the Scots' score.

It woke Scotland up and they launched a furious attack against a well-drilled English defence.

Controlling possession well, they drove up through the middle of the field, allowing Hodge to cut England's advantage to just one point when numerous white shirts were caught offside.

Scots take the lead

Scotland started where they had left off after the break, sending England back into their 22 with a superb kick from Hodge.

England's defence held firm, however, and Wilkinson, particularly, made a number of huge hits to send the Scots backwards.

As the rain began to fall, the ball became increasingly slippery causing numerous problems for both sides.

Lawrence Dallaglio runs over for England's only try

The Scottish pressure was superb. Permanently camped inside the England half, it eventually told with Hodge putting Scotland ahead for the first time in the game, after Richard Hill was penalised for lying on the ball.

It undoubtedly lifted Scotland and their defence - so poor throughout the championship - proved awesome.

England on the other hand, were unable to create any opportunities. And as the minutes ticked away, Scotland looked more and more likely to claim the all-important try.

When it came it sent the Murrayfield crowd into raptures.

A wonderful piece of driving play was finished off by Hodge, who used the slippery surface to dive over next to the posts.

His conversion gave Scotland a 19-10 lead, before Wilkinson cut the deficit with a penalty on the stroke of time.

It set up a thrilling finale. But Scotland fought on, Scott Murray stealing an English throw inside his own half to again send the Six Nations champions backwards.

When the final whistle blew, England looked on in anguish. For the second year running they had been denied the Grand Slam in the tournament's final moments.

Few had predicted the victory, but it proved a fitting finale to the inaugural Six Nations championship.

Teams:

Scotland: Paterson, Moir, Townsend, McLaren, G. Metcalfe, Hodge, Nicol, Smith, Brotherstone, Stewart, S. Murray, R. Metcalfe, White, Pountney, M. Leslie.
Replacements: McIlwham, G. Scott, Grimes, Reid, Redpath, Shiel, A. Bulloch.

England: Perry, Healey, Tindall, Catt, Cohen, Wilkinson, Dawson, Leonard, Greening, Vickery, Archer, Shaw, Hill, Back, Dallaglio.
Replacements: McCarthy, Woodman, Corry, Worsley, Gomarsall, King, Balshaw.

Referee: Clayton Thomas (Wales)