After conceding a penalty try during a poor start, Scotland scored two tries in 20 minutes through Ally Hogg and Mike Blair but Marcato struck the winning kick after a poor pass by Dan Parks had gifted the Italians a second try.

Despite the encouraging first-half spell, Chris Paterson’s late penalty - his 33rd successful kick in a row for his country - were the only points Scotland scored after the break as they squandered a seven-point lead.

The hosts threatened first by moving the game into Scotland’s 22, after captain Sergio Parisse had intercepted a Parks pass.

Italy number nine Simon Picone broke clear of a scrum and fed Andrea Masi, but he was stopped just before the line.

Simon Danielli, who missed the World Cup with injury, lasted less than six minutes when he was carried off with a leg injury - with Andrew Henderson coming on.

Marcato missed a 30-yard penalty. But Scotland were under pressure again from an Italian scrum five metres out, after another wayward pass by Parks.

As the Italians pushed the Scotland pack back, Welsh referee Nigel Owens awarded a penalty try for collapsing the scrum.

Marcato converted the 13th-minute score, and another poor pass by Parks ended Scotland’s first decent spell of possession moments later.

Scotland finally launched an attack midway through the half, and play opened up five metres out for Hogg to run over following an inside pass by Scott MacLeod.

Paterson levelled following the 21st-minute try, and Parks showed his prowess with the boot by kicking a 45-yard penalty.

Centre Graeme Morrison twice put Italy under pressure - first when he broke 30 yards with the ball in hand and then by chasing his own kick into the corner.

Captain Blair opted to kick a close-range penalty into touch as Scotland maintained the pressure, but full-back Marcato caught a crossfield kick by Parks after the subsequent line-out.

Despite Scotland’s dominance, Italy levelled in the 37th minute from Marcato’s 45-yard penalty - after MacLeod had been penalised for failing to roll away following a tackle.

Blair scored their second try in stoppage time after picking the ball up from a ruck and running 25 yards under the post. Paterson converted to put Scotland seven ahead at the break.

Marcato missed a long-range penalty early in the second period. But Italy were seeing more of the ball and pushed Scotland back as both sides brought on a flurry of replacements, including Jason White.

Scotland looked to have stemmed the pressure until another poor pass by Parks gifted Italy their second try in the 60th minute.

The stand-off’s pass on the left wing, well inside the Italy half, went straight to Parisse - and he broke forward, before passing inside for Gonzalo Canale to cross.

Marcato levelled the scores - and Italy remained on top, with the full-back converting a 35-yard penalty in the 71st minute.

Paterson completed a perfect RBS 6 Nations kicking record - to follow his 100 per cent World Cup stats - by levelling with a penalty two minutes later. But Italy pinned Scotland back, and Marcato won the game from a central position 22 metres out.

Scotland’s only consolation being their superior points difference of three that saved them from finishing bottom again.