Not only was the 18-18 result the first time the fourth nation has won a competition point in the history of the series, but it's the first time one of the top three nations has drawn or lost in to a tier two country in a major tournament since 1975.

Aitken's try in the final two minutes allowed captain Danny Brough, playing with multiple painkilling injections in a heel, to boot a momentous conversion despite a rain squall at the wild west Cumbrian ground.

Andrew Aitken snr died at the age of just 36, from cancer, when his son was still a toddler. It was left to his widowed wife to remind Andrew junior he had Scottish blood when the family moved to Australia.

"I'm thinking about my grandpa up there – he's probably watching over me," said Andrew Jnr's son, 21-year-old Euan, on the Scottish team bus after a result that proved international rugby league really is progressing.

"He probably helped us through that game there. A bit of inspiration and I'm very proud to represent my heritage and I got that try at the end … it's history really."

Australia cannot now miss the Four Nations final at Anfield next Sunday while England needs to beat or draw with the green-and-golds at London Olympic Stadium today (Sunday) to supplant New Zealand in the decider.

When Gerard Beale scored two tries inside the final six minutes to snatch an 18-12 lead, the plucky Scots looked to have been pipped again by the fulltime pros' superior fitness. Locals at Derwent Park headed for the exits but Issac Luke's missed conversions kept Scotland in the contest, although that seemed to be only in a mathematical sense.

But Aitken took the ball on the right, motioned to pass to winger Lewis Tierney and dived over, carrying a couple of shattered defenders. Despite rain and wind, captain Brough then tied the game up.

Given the choice between keeping the ball alive and risking error when the siren sounded, halfback Brough took the tackle. The rendition of 'Flower of Scotland" in the dressing room was evidence enough that a draw with the Kiwis was a victory to those who achieved it.

New Zealand led 6-4 at halftime and extended their lead to 10-4 with the second try from debutant David Fusitua 14 minutes after halftime. Bravehearts' second rower Ben Hellewell posted a converted try that brought the house down at 66 minutes and Scotland's lead after a Brough penalty goal two minutes later beggared belief.

Brough, who had an 11th hour fitness test, said: "It was quite painful. I probably shouldn't have played, I had two injections before the game and two at half-time to try and take the pain off. I can't put my heel down now.

"But it was worth it with the effort the boys put in. They got two late tries but to snatch a draw at the end makes it the proudest moment of my Scottish career."

NEW ZEALAND 18 (David Fusitua 2, Gerard Beale 2 tries; Issac Luke goal) drew with SCOTLAND 18 (Lewis Tierney, Ben Hellewell, Euan Aitken tries; Danny Brough 3 goals) at Zebra Claims Stadium, Workington. Referee: Ben Cummins (Australia). Crowd: 6628