The Southampton striker thumped home a 70th-minute header from a Leighton Baines corner to put England in front for the first time in Wednesday night's international friendly at Wembley. James Morrison had put Scotland into an early lead, with Theo Walcott equalizing before the break. A fine early second-half strike from Kenny Miller was cancelled out by Danny Welbeck before Lambert's dramatic introduction.
Steven Gerrard was back to skipper England after missing the 2-2 draw away to Brazil last time out through injury. He was one of five changes, with Jack Wilshere, Tom Cleverley, Danny Welbeck and Kyle Walker also selected. Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Frank Lampard and James Milner were all named amongst the subs, while Michael Carrick was out with an eye infection.
Scotland boss Gordon Strachan made three changes following the 1-0 World Cup qualifying win in Croatia in June. Captain Scott Brown, James Forrest and Miller all returned to the starting line-up, with Barry Bannan, Leigh Griffiths and James McArthur dropping to the bench. After Wayne Rooney sent a shot across the face of goal early on, Scotland took the lead on 11 minutes.
Welbeck headed a corner away but Walcott could only move the ball on as far as Morrison 20 yards out. The West Brom man's shot on goal was fumbled in by Joe Hart, who looked slow to react to his left.
The equalizer came just before the half-hour mark. An excellent defense-splitting pass from Cleverley down the right channel freed the jet-heeled Walcott. It looked like the Arsenal forward may have waited too long, but he cut inside of Steven Whittaker and finished low from five yards before Brown could reach him.
Lampard replaced Wilshere at the start of the second half - but it was Scotland who were soon back in front. Alan Hutton's cross from the right was chested down by Miller, standing in front of Gary Cahill on the edge of the area. Miller's sidestep confused the center back and his powerful shot then flew past Hart.
However, within four minutes, England were level again. Welbeck rose to head down a Gerrard free-kick towards the bottom corner and despite his best efforts, Allan McGregor could not keep the ball out. Rooney made way for Lambert midway through the second half and with his first touch of the ball in an England shirt, the Saints ace put his country in front.
He met Baines' 70th-minute corner perfectly with a thumping header which gave McGregor no chance. Lambert also hit the post in stoppage time as England claimed a narrow win over the Auld Enemy.
