England U20s had to settle for a 1-1 draw from their trip to Budevice, following a late equaliser from Czech Republic.
Paul Simpson’s Young Lions had controlled the game for long periods, but only had Eddie Nketiah’s goal to show for their possession and dominance.
But a scrambled equaliser in the dying stages means England were denied what would’ve beem a second successive victory, following last week’s win over Italy.
And after dominating the opening stages, the biggest surprise was that it took England almost 40 minutes to break the deadlock.
Nkeatiah, who had also seen a goal ruled out earlier in the game, was the man who opened the scoring as he was presented with a simple chance from close range when Czech keeper Jan Siska fumbled a cross right at the striker’s feet and he made no mistake.
The hosts came into the game more after the break, forcing a number of corners and free-kicks in the final third and starting to test Nathan Trott more and more.
And they found an equaliser in controversial fashion with less than ten minutes remaining as Dominik Janosek’s corner was diverted onto the bar and scrambled over the line.
The Young Lions were adamant it hadn’t crossed the line, but the officials awarded the goal and England had to settle for a point.
The U20s will be back in action in November when they host Germany on Monday 19 November at the Jobserve Community Stadium in Colchester.
Tickets can be purchased by calling 01206 755 161 or in person at the club ticket office.
England U20s: 1 Nathan Trott (West Ham United), 2 Tom Edwards (Stoke City), 3 Tom Pearce (Leeds United), 4 Sam Field (West Bromwich Albion), 5 Easah Suliman (FC Emmen, loan from Aston Villa), 6 LLoyd Kelly (Bristol City) (c), 7 Kyle Edwards (West Bromwich Albion), 8 Andre Dozzell (Ipswich Town), 9 George Hirst (OH Leuven), 10 Ronaldo Vieira (Sampdoria), 11 Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal).
Substitutes: 18 Ben Wilmot (Watford) for Suliman 79, 16 Marcus Tavernier (Middlesbrough) for Dozzell 79
Substitutes not used: 12 Reece James (Wigan Athletic, loan from Chelsea), 13 Aaron Ramsdale (AFC Bournemouth), 14 Elliot Embleton (Grimsby Town, loan from Sunderland), 15 Eberechi Eze (Queens Park Rangers), 17 Joe Willock (Arsenal), 22 Brandon Austin (Tottenham Hotspur)
Head coach: Paul Simpson
Goals: Eddie Nketiah 39
Cautions: Tom Edwards 58, Tom Pearce 82
Attendance: 2795
