England draw

Last updated : 09 October 2006 By Al Campbell
England were held 0-0 at Old Trafford by Macedonia yesterday as their old problems returned to haunt them. In Steve McClaren's three previous games in charge England have scored an early goal and have been able to play a composed game. Yesterday as they vainly struggled for an opener they showed a lack of ideas that cost them dearly under Sven Goran Eriksson.

After a first half to forget England raised their game a touch after the break and at last began to create a few chances. Peter Crouch almost added to his impressive England tally when he met Stuart Downing's one decent cross but the Liverpool striker saw his header saved. The rebound fell to Gary Neville but the Man Utd defender blazed it over the bar from all of one yard out.

Steven Gerrard came closest to scoring for England when he made space for himself on the edge of the 18 yard box an unleashed a wicked piledriver that unfortunately for him cannoned off the crossbar.

Despite this poor result England are still on course to top the group after Russia and Israel drew 1-1.

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