Scotland boosted their Women’s World Cup qualification bid with a bonus-point victory against Spain.

Scotland trailed twice in the match but dug deep to show their spirit to keep hopes of reaching the finals in New Zealand later this year.

A vital meeting with Ireland is on Saturday.

After a heavy loss to Italy last weekend, Scotland trailed early on in Parma before quick ball helped Lloyd reduce the arrears and three minutes later Gaffney produced a fantastic finish to wipe out Spain’s lead.

In a back-and-forth opening 40, Spain got back in front but Nelson touched down after several phases of play on the verge of half-time to leave the deficit at two points.

A penalty by fly-half Nelson at the start of the second period added another three points to Scotland’s tally but McLachlan applied the finish after a driving maul to claim a crucial fourth try and the upper hand.

It proved enough for Bryan Easson’s side to win by a narrow margin and set up a crunch clash with Ireland next weekend where a win for either could secure a place at the World Cup in 2022, but Italy and Spain also have five points in the tightly-contested four-team group.

Scotland: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Hannah Smith, Lisa Thomson, Megan Gaffney; Helen Nelson , Jenny Maxwell; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Christine Belisle, Emma Wassell, Louise McMillan, Rachel Malcolm, Rachel McLachlan, Jade Konkel.

Replacements: Molly Wright, Lisa Cockburn, Katie Dougan, Siobhan Cattigan, Evie Gallagher, Mairi McDonald, Sarah Law, Abi Evans.

Spain: Lea Ducher; Paula Requena Zamora, Amaia Erbina Arana, Amalia Argudo Llobregat, Maria Garcia Gala; Anne Fernandez De Corres, Patricia Garcia Rodriguez; Saioa Jaurena Acha, Margarita Rodriguez, Laura Delgado Duenas, Ana Puig Delgado, Carmen Castellucci Ocana, Olivia Fresneda Fernandez, Maria Calvo Balaguer, Lourdes Alameda Garcia-Moreno

Referee: Aurelie Groizeleau (France)