An independent Scotland’s future currency and its reliance on oil revenue dominated the second televised debate between Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling.

Scotland’s First Minister opened the debate by stating that on 18 September voters could “complete the home rule journey” and “take matters into our own hands.” In response, the former Chancellor said Mr Salmond wanted to create a separate state “no matter what the cost”.

Mr Darling, who leads the pro-union Better Together campaign, immediately went on the offensive, saying Mr Salmond was asking Scotland “to trust what he says – and I can’t".

But an aggressive, re-energised Mr Salmond may have delivered the comeback he needed, and delivered it in a shouting match that was less genteel than their first television confrontation. An instant ICM-Guardian poll after the debate found 71 per cent of viewers thought Mr Salmond the victor, compared to 29 per cent for Mr Darling.

In a reprise of the battleground that dominated the first debate 20 days ago, Mr Salmond repeated his belief that a Westminster government would deliver a currency union with an independent Scotland. Although referring to options that included using the pound “with permission” and the euro, Mr Salmond said his priority was “seeking a mandate” for a currency union, and that if he described the detail of a Plan B “then that is what we will end with”.

The debate was critical for Mr Salmond. Before the debate a new poll put the support for independence still trailing behind – 38 per cent for Yes, 51 per cent for No.

Scottish Independence: For and against Show all 24 1 /24 Scottish Independence: For and against Scottish Independence: For and against Vivienne Westwood YES: “I hate England. I like Scotland because somehow I think they are better than we are. They are more democratic.” Getty Scottish Independence: For and against Bob Geldof NO: "This argument needs to be had among us all, you can't selfishly resolve it amongst yourselves by taking an easy opt-out clause." Getty Scottish Independence: For and against Leonard Cohen UNDECIDED: “People are trying to make their lives significant,” he said. “[They] are engaged in a struggle for self-respect and significance.” Getty Scottish Independence: For and against James McAvoy UNDECIDED: “If you vote for continued unification or independence there is no protest vote – that’s it. And that could be it for decades, for centuries. There’s no going back from it." Getty Scottish Independence: For and against Bill Clinton NO: “Unity with maximum self-determination sends a powerful message to a world torn by identity conflicts that it is possible to respect our differences while living and working together. This is the great challenge of our time. The Scots can show us how to meet it.” Getty Scottish Independence: For and against George Galloway NO: “There will be havoc if you vote Yes in September. Havoc in Edinburgh and throughout the land and you will break the hearts of many others too… I know which side I’m on. I’m with JK Rowling. Just say No.” Getty Scottish Independence: For and against David Beckham NO: “We want to let you know how very much we value our relationship and friendship. Of course regardless of your decision that will never change, however, my sincere hope is that you will vote to renew our historic bond which has been such a success over the centuries and the envy of the entire world. What unites us is much greater than what divides us. Let's stay together.” Getty Scottish Independence: For and against David Bowie NO: "Scotland stay with us" Rex Features Scottish Independence: For and against Eddie Izzard NO: "You can be Scottish, you can be British and you can be European. We can have that. “I say have the parliament, have the more power, but be with us. Like David Bowie said, ‘Stay with us Scotland’ and I’m saying the same – don’t go." Getty Scottish Independence: For and against Frankie Boyle YES: "It’s an ‘aye’ (for Independence) from me, man." Association of Online Publishers Scottish Independence: For and against Andy Murray NO: "I started competing for Great Britain when I was 11. A lot of people forget that. I didn't like it when Salmond got the Scottish flag up at Wimbledon" GETTY IMAGES Scottish Independence: For and against The Proclaimers YES: 'Scotland has huge national resources, with its people, its wave power – all the possibilities that this country has...we need to take charge of our own affairs' Gary Calton Scottish Independence: For and against Susan Boyle NO: "I am a proud, patriotic Scot, passionate about my heritage and my country. But I am not a nationalist." Rex Features Scottish Independence: For and against Chris Hoy NO: "It will weaken the British team obviously if Scotland went separately, and it would be harder for the Scottish athletes, initially, to establish themselves in a new training environment, with new coaches, with a different environment altogether." Scottish Independence: For and against Alex Ferguson NO: "Eight-hundred-thousand Scots, like me, live and work in other parts of the United Kingdom. We don't live in a foreign country; we are just in another part of the family of the UK" Getty Images Scottish Independence: For and against Alan Cumming YES: "The evidence is clear - in the past 15 years we have become stronger economically, socially, culturally and globally. The world is waiting for us and I know Scotland is ready." Kalpesh Lathigra Scottish Independence: For and against Emma Thompson NO: "Why insist on building a new border between human beings in an ever-shrinking world where we are still struggling to live alongside each other?" Carlo Allegri, Reuters Scottish Independence: For and against Billy Bragg YES: Independence would "create a new settlement that puts people before profit. Those in England who believe that our own society needs to be rebalanced along similar lines should wake up and join the debate" Getty Images Scottish Independence: For and against Marcus Brigstocke NO: "If Scotland go their own way (based on fingers crossed, f**k the Tories, William Wallace bollocks it'll be a damn shame. Still wish 'em well" Scottish Independence: For and against Rod Stewart NO: "I'd hate to see the union broken after all these years. It's always been a spiritual home - but as I don't live there I shouldn't comment on independence. If it's good for the Scots I'm happy." PA Scottish Independence: For and against Sean Connery YES: "As a Scot and as someone with a lifelong love for both Scotland and the arts, I believe the opportunity of independence is too good to miss" Rex Features Scottish Independence: For and against Al Kennedy NO: "Salmond has the warm potato head of a man who is Scottish and – we hope – no threat" Rex Features Scottish Independence: For and against Annie Lennox YES: "There is an opportunity for something innovative and visionary. Scotland could have some kind of new, ethical, visionary stance and it could take on some fresh ideas. That could be amazing, really amazing." Getty Images Scottish Independence: For and against Morrissey YES: "They must cut ties with the United King-dumb. I love Scotland, and I love the Scottish spirit and they do not need Westminster in the least." Getty Images

The nationalist script for the leader of the SNP, who was perceived to have lost the first debate, was a political comeback that would energise the Yes campaign in the few weeks until 18 September. In what looked like an over-anxious effort to score points, Mr Salmond claimed the “major revelation” of the night was Mr Darling’s acknowledgement that Scotland didn’t need to ask permission to use the pound.

Although the debate focused on oil, the NHS, and the bedroom tax, Mr Darling repeatedly attempted to return to the issue of currency.

Mr Salmond accused Mr Darling of being a “one-trick pony” and said he had answered the question before. He again asked Mr Darling: “If we win, will you support Scotland joining the union?”

But as Mr Darling repeatedly returned to an independent Scotland’s currency, Mr Salmond tried to evade the question, saying: “Even your insults are retreads from the first debate.”

The Glasgow audience in the Kelvingrove Gallery was more aggressive than the one at the first debate. Some of the questioners accused Mr Darling of forgetting his Labour roots, of forgetting the legacy of the founder of the NHS, Aneurin Bevan.

One question about Scotland’s oil resulted in heated exchanges between the two men. Mr Salmond appeared to lose the hesitancy he showed in the first debate, and although the “risk and over-reliance” on oil was attacked by Mr Darling, there was huge applause when he said that “any country in the world would be delighted at the oil asset we have.”

Mr Darling at times looked outside his comfort zone in an aggressive debate.

The nationalists will claim that Mr Salmond won the debate convincingly. It was better than his outing 20 days ago. How much better? Scotland will know in three weeks.

What they said

Alex Salmond: “No one… will run the affairs of this country better than the people who live and work in Scotland. No one cares more about Scotland.”

“We are a rich nation, a resourceful people. We can create a prosperous nation and a fairer society: a real vision for the people… This is our time, our moment…”

“You are getting three Plan Bs tonight. They are just like buses Alistair: you expect one and then three turn up.”

Alistair Darling: “He is asking us to take his word for it on everything, with no Plan B for anything. Sorry, I can’t.”

“I believe we can be better, we can be more prosperous… by being proud of what we do in Scotland, but also having the advantage of being part of the United Kingdom.”