England held at NYS

A CROWD of more than 10,000 at the AESSEAL New York Stadium saw England Women held by Belgium in their Euro 2017 qualifier.

A late equaliser from Jill Scott spared England’s blushes after a mistake from goalkeeper Karen Bardsley had gifted the Belgians a first-half opener.

Janice Cayman seized on Bardsley’s miss-kick to roll the visitors into an 18th minute lead, punishing a lethargic first-half performance from the Lionesses.

They improved in the second half and with plenty of backing from the stands, their pressure told six minutes from time when Scott poked in from close range to make it 1-1.

The draw was enough to move England second in Group 7, a point behind Belgium.

England: Bardsley, A. Scott, Greenwood, Nobbs, Houghton, Stoney, Williams, Chapman, Duggan, Scott, Stokes

Attendance: 10,550