Must watch: Nigeria goalkeeper saved by referee Lee Probert from scoring one of the most embarrassing own goals in history

Incident happened during Nigeria's 2-2 draw with Scotland at Craven Cottage

Nigeria goalkeeper Austine Ejide (#16) scoops the ball into his own net while competing with Scotland's Grant Hanley (#5) (GETTY IMAGES)

The Nigeria goalkeeper Austin Ejide would have gone down in the record books as scoring one of the most embarrassing own goals in history during the 2-2 draw against Scotland at Craven Cottage last night, but referee Lee Probert spared his blushes by disallowing the effort for a foul.

Ejide, who plays for Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the Israel Premier League, comically charged out and scooped the ball into his own net when challenging for the cross with Grant Hanley in the first-half with Scotland leading 1-0. Thankfully for Ejide, Probert ruled out the goal for a supposed push, although it looked incredibly soft.

Azubuike Egwuekwe was not so lucky later on. His own goal put Scotland 2-1 up, before substitute Uche Nwofor denied Gordon Strachan's side victory with an equaliser in the 90th-minute.

Watch the bizarre sequence below...

The build-up to the match had been overshadowed by the news that police were investigating potential attempts to fix the match. Security officials responsible for serious and organised crime had expressed concerns to the world governing body Fifa and the Scottish Football Association (SFA) about the fixture.

The Independent had been told that the game was “red-flagged” by the Gambling Commission, who uncovered intelligence regarding suspicious betting activity, thought to have been carried out by syndicates in the Far East.

There have been no suspected indications as to whether the alleged scam involves spot fixing or match outcome. There is no suggestion of players being involved in any potential scam.