Dunedin: New Zealand narrowly avoided a major misstep in its first meeting with a minor nation at the Cricket World Cup, edging Scotland by three wickets in a low-scoring match on Tuesday to stay unbeaten after two games in Pool A. Trent Boult was adjudged the Man Of the Match.

Chasing Scotland's modest total of 142, New Zealand needed only half its allotted overs to reach the target but lost wickets at regular intervals in an undisciplined run chase.

Scotland lost its top four batsmen inside the first five overs after being sent in, slumping to 4-12 before Matt Machan made a pugnacious 56 and Richie Berrington 50 in a 97-run partnership.

Trent Boult and Tim Southee both had hat trick opportunities against a Scotland batting lineup that lost four men to golden ducks. Corey Anderson took 3-18, including the wickets of Machan and Berrington, and Daniel Vettori 3-24.

New Zealand's simple run chase became a struggle, either through complacency or haste. The tournament co-host had looked comfortable at 63-2 when the late innings break was taken but it bled wickets on the resumption.

Iain Wardlaw epitomized Scotland's refusal to give up hope, dismissing Martin Guptill (17), dangerman Brendon McCullum (15) and Grant Elliott to finish with 3-57 while Josh Davey took 3-40.

McCullum was dropped on five and Corey Anderson on three and had those chances been taken Scotland might have sewn seeds of greater uncertainty among the New Zealand players.

Scotland had entered the tournament trying to demonstrate its ability to compete with cricket's top nations. While the Scots, now appearing at a third World Cup, have put in some creditable performances, it has now lost all nine matches it has played at this level.