Football Ferns lose 2-0 to Scotland in international friendly in San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain

Hannah Wilkinson in action for the Football Ferns. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Kamo strikers Katie Rood and Hannah Wilkinson couldn't help the Football Ferns overcome Scotland in an international friendly in San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain.

The Ferns lost 2-0 in their first match under new head coach Andreas Heraf.

Jane Ross opened the scoring for Scotland and a defensive error from the Ferns late in the second half saw Lisa Evans put the game to bed.

Scotland, who opened 2018 with a draw with Russia (0-0) and a loss to Norway (3-0) in January, got back to winning ways after they recorded five international wins in 2017.

It was a physical contest with Scotland, who defeated New Zealand 3-2 this time last year at the Cyprus Cup, having the better of the first-half chances.

Wilkinson was introduced at halftime in place of Annalie Longo and looked to help on the offensive end.

But the Ferns couldn't find the back of the net and eventually conceded a soft goal in the 78th minute which made it even tougher for them to come back into the contest.

Rood came on for the returning Sarah Gregorius in the 82nd minute and looked lively on the pitch but she couldn't break the Ferns' duck.

This was Rood's third international appearance while the experienced Wilkinson was playing in her 79th.

Despite recently being brought back into the squad after returning from retirement, former captain Abby Erceg was not part of Heraf's rotation for the first of two matches between the sides.

The Football Ferns will look to bounce back in the second international friendly against Scotland on tomorrownight (NZT) at the same venue.

Scotland 2 (Jane Ross 34', Lisa Evans 78') Football Ferns 0. HT: 1-0.