Slovenia 0-1 England

Nova Gorica

Newcastle sriker Shola Ameobi came off the bench to score the only goal of the game and give David Platt's men a 1-0 victory in Nova Gorica and maintain his unbeaten run as coach.

Ameobi, introduced on the hour, had already been denied a goal as he let fly from 25 yards but his 62 minute shot struck the bar and the scores remained nil-nil

But two minutes later, the Magpies' striker found more joy poaching from close range. Malcolm Christie wriggled free on the left hand corner of the box and sent a low cross goal-wards which found Ameobi a yard from the line and there was no way the woodwork would get in the way this time as the ball found itself a home in the previously unoccupied net and rewarded England with a deserved win.

The game started well for the visitors and they were the quickest out of the blocks with new caps Jenas and Konchesky looking very composed, but from their early domination England failed to carve out a single opportunity.

In fact it was Slovenia who almost took the lead. In the early exchanges the defensive duo of Riggott and Barry were looking in command with no real pressure being mounted but on nine minutes a long range back pass from the Villa man towards keeper Paul Robinson sailed over the Leeds' man's head and fortunately for Barry bounced inches over the bar.

Slovenia had a chance of their own on 12 minutes when a curling free kick from Krsic was dealt with comfortably by Robinson at his near-post.

A minute later, skipper David Dunn's 30 yard cross fooled Fornezzi in the Slovenian goal, but the ball landed on the roof of the net. Then a clever run and scooped pass by Jermaine Pennant released his name-sake Jenas, but this time the linesman's flag denied England.

Midway through the half, Slovenia came back to life, combining their greater physical presence with composure on the ball. However, it was David Platt's men who took advantage of their possession and a Konchesky free kick was met by Riggott, but his header looped over the bar.

Then, with half an hour gone, the skipper again caused problems to the home side's defence. A cut in from the left beat his marker and Dunn fizzed a shot low and hard but could only watch as his effort went the wrong side of the post.

Into the last ten minutes of the half and the referee was forced to reach for his red card. West Ham United's Jermain Defoe was sent clear, but a foul challenge from Slovenia's Lunder, gave Italian Farina no option but give the defender his marching orders and put the Slovenia's down to ten men. David Dunn stepped up for the resulting free kick, but his shot failed to trouble the keeper as the ball again cleared the target.

The final chance of the half again fell to England. Liverpool full back Stephen Wright attacked down the right and found space to cross in to the box where the unmarked Scott Parker was waiting but the Charlton midfielder's header could only find Fornezzi's grateful arms.

Nottingham Forest's David Prutton and a third new cap Matthew Etherington were brought on at the break to replace Scott Parker and David Dunn and it was Spurs' Etherington who created England's next opportunity as he skipped clear on the left. His dangerous crossed was met by Malcolm Christie but the Derby man failed to get a firm connection and the danger passed.

On 51 minutes Konchesky and Christie combined on the left to set up Defoe, but the young Hammer's rising shot was sent over the bar by the Slovenian custodian.

England's fourth debutant of the game, Zat Knight accompanied Ameobi on to the field on the hour and within four minutes the latter had made his mark on the cross bar and the score board. And the goal was followed by another David Platt substitution as Leeds' Robinson made way for Manchester City's Nicky Weaver, but he would not be tested until six minutes from time, before which Charlton's Paul Konchesky tried to get in on the act the other end.

Etherington again beat his man and crossed to Arsenal's Jermaine Pennant whose volley, which flashed across the face of goal, was met by Konchesky but he sent his shot over the bar.

Another pass from Jermaine Pennant almost had a hand in the second goal, but this time it provided Nicky Weaver with the only chance to dirty his knees. Number 11, Robnik, latched onto Pennant's stray pass, and the Slovenian drilled a fierce effort towards goal, but a fine acrobatic save from Weaver kept matters as they were and retain England's advantage.

In the final minutes Christie, who worked tirelessly all afternoon, went off injured and with no substitutes remaining England were also down to ten men. But the young Lions adapted to their reduction well and finished the game in comfotable style to increase Platt's record to six wins and a draw.

England: Robinson (Weaver 64), Wright (Knight 60), Konchesky, Jenas, Riggott, Barry, Pennant, Parker (Prutton 45), Christie, Defoe (Ameobi 60), Dunn (c) (Etherington 45)

Goals: Ameobi 64