Iwelumo had a chance a couple of yards from Norway's goal

Scotland striker Chris Iwelumo backed himself to bounce back from the debut howler in the 0-0 draw with Norway.

The Wolves top scorer missed a golden chance to score at Hampden.

"I'm obviously gutted," he said. "I had a big chance and I should put them away so I'm disappointed. I just have to bounce back and keep positive.

"I was confident and I put my foot out and it hit the heel. I'm gutted. But I'm a big character and I'll take that one on the chin and move on."

Iwelumo admitted that there was an air of disappointment in the Scotland dressing-room but described it as a "fantastic" experience to be part of the international set-up late in his career.

"I'm my own worst critic and it's definitely something I'll be thinking about," said the 30-year-old Wolves striker.

"It's all down to what I'm doing with my club now, so hopefully I can carry on with that form and keep knocking on the door."

Manager George Burley defended the second-half substitute after the Scots missed the chance to go five points clear of Norway in World Cup qualifying Group Nine.

"He'd score 99 times out of 100 and unfortunately this was the one occasion that he didn't score," said Burley.

"There's still everything to play for, but drawing makes it more difficult."

Iwulemo and Steven Fletcher replaced James McFadden and James Morrison as Scotland chased a winning goal.

Kris Boyd was also on the bench, but Burley elected not to use the Rangers forward.

"We had changed it with the two strikers who were combining with each other, so I was pleased with the way the game was going second half," said Burley.

"Kris Boyd has got to establish himself in the Rangers team, which he hasn't done. Chris Iwulemo came on because he's been playing regularly and has scored eight goals in six games for Wolves.

"You're always looking for players to prove themselves and Boyd's not any different to anybody else in the squad."

Burley was heartened by the second-half performance despite drawing a blank.

"There were some outstanding displays, especially in the second half," Burley said.

"We had some chances and played some really decent stuff going forward, but we couldn't manage to get that goal.

"We needed to get that first goal and, if we had got that, I think we would have won the match."

Midfielder Scott Brown echoed Burley's sentiments about the Scottish performance and is still confident of reaching the finals in South Africa.

"We're always looking for three points and I thought we were unlucky," said the Celtic player.

"I think the whole team played really well and most of the country should be proud of us.

"I always believe that we'll be in South Africa."