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England left to rue missed chances in stalemate. Lithuania Under-21 - 0 England Under-21 - 0
European Championship. England squandered a host of chances but still claimed a vital European Championship qualifying point in a goalless draw in Vilnius.
Stuart Pearce made one change from the side that defeated Portugal at Wembley on Saturday with Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge preferred in attack alongside Andy Carroll.
Arsenal youngster Kieran Gibbs moved to left-back, with Ryan Bertrand dropped to the bench as Pearce decided on a 4-4-2 formation with Fabrice Muamba and former Leeds United youngster Fabian Delph in the centre of midfield.
Tom Cleverley started on the right wing, with the winning scorer from Wembley, Danny Rose – another Elland Road product – on the left.
England started brightly enough and Carroll almost gave them a dream start but he put his header just wide.
It was then the turn of the woodwork to save the home nation when Carroll's 20-yard shot beat Vytautas Cerniauskas but rebounded off an upright.
A minute later, England were forced to make a change when the injured Gibbs left the action to be replaced by Bertrand.
England's youngsters were dominating the game but the finishing left a lot to be desired.
Carroll almost finished off a neat move but he volleyed Rose's lofted pass across the face of the goal.
Pearce's side continued where they left at the start of the second-half and Muamba's close-range shot flashed narrowly wide.
England should have gone ahead in the 50th minute when Cleverley jinked through the Lithuanian defence and created a chance for Carroll.
Unfortunately for Pearce's side, the Newcastle man side-stepped the goalkeeper but saw his shot crash against the crossbar.
Brentford brought Gateshead's FA Cup run to an abrupt end with a 5-2 win in their first-round replay at Griffin Park.
Stevenage also went out, beaten 1-0 at home by Port Vale.
One non-league side did make it through, though, Conal Platt scoring twice to give Forest Green a 2-1 win at Blue Square Premier rivals Mansfield.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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