Wales U21 2-3 England U21

By Peter Shuttleworth

Agbonlahor's (L) strike in the 61st minute proved to be the winner

England are on the verge of qualifying for the Under-21 European Championship after they defeated Wales in their first-leg play-off in Cardiff.

Simon Church gave Wales an early lead before Middlesbrough pair David Wheater and Adam Johnson put Stuart Pearce's youngsters in front.

Church levelled just before half-time to give Wales hope but a deft Gabriel Agbonlahor flick won it for England.

The second-leg will be held at Villa Park on Tuesday.

Wales, who went 26 games without a win between 1997 and 2002, have been transformed under coach Brian Flynn and are appearing in their first Under-21 Championship play-off.

England had lost just one of their previous 25 matches at this level but their invincibility was put in doubt when a revived Wales shocked the visitors in the 13th minute.

Church pounced on a defensive mix-up between Michael Mancienne and Steven Taylor to put Wales ahead much to the delight of the capacity Ninian Park crowd.

606: DEBATE How does this result set-up the second leg?

Aaron Ramsey's through pass was intercepted by Chelsea youngster Mancienne but his hacked clearance ricocheted off Newcastle's Taylor.

Both left it for each other and Reading striker Church made the most of their indecision with a composed finish to score Wales' first ever goal against England at this level.

A defensive howler from Wales gifted England their leveller just six minutes later.

Middlesbrough defender Wheater rose unchallenged to head Jamie O'Hara's deep right-wing corner past Wales defenders Rhoys Wiggins and Andy King into the net.

Aston Villa star Agbonlahor hit the bar and James Milner and Johnson tested Welsh keeper Owain fon Williams before the visitors took a deserved lead.

Mark Noble's defence-splitting pass set Johnson free and the Middlesbrough winger skipped around Wales captain Neal Eardley before firing past fon Williams.

The Premier League stars of England seemed comfortable against a Wales team made up of mostly lower league unknowns, with the exception of Arsenal midfielder Ramsey.

Wales' teenage star showed why Gunners boss Arsene Wenger paid £5m for him in the summer when his cute pass set up Church for his second.

The 19-year-old, on loan at Wycombe Wanderers, cut inside Taylor before unleashing a left-foot drive past helpless Manchester City keeper Joe Hart.

Simon Church has scored six goals in nine Wales Under-21 games

Church's double strike, his fifth and sixth goal in nine under-21 games, was particularly special bearing in mind England had conceded just once in their eight qualifying games.

England's top-flight experience showed after the restart as Stuart Pearce's team began to dominate and striker Agbonlahor made their possession count just after an hour.

Noble's run and cut-back from thy byline was cheekily back-heeled into Wales' net as the Villa goal-scorer converted his sixth already this season.

Shaun MacDonald and Ramsey went closest for Wales in the second-half from long range, the Swansea winger stinging the hands of stopper Hart.

Wales - minus nine senior team call-ups including Gareth Bale, Ched Evans and Chris Gunter - continued to probe but Noble's 25-yard shot ensured Pearce's England remained on top.

However, in the battle of the West Ham United midfielders, Jack Collison had Hart worried late on as his shot flew narrowly over.

Wales were beaten but not embarrassed by their illustrious opponents and showcased the strides they have made under boss Flynn.

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Wales U21: fon Williams, Eardley, Blake, Nyatanga, Wiggins, Adams (Allen 59), Collison, King (James 84), MacDonald (Brown 76), Ramsey, Church.
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Jacobson, Mike Williams, Marc Williams.

Goals: Church 13, 44.

England U21: Hart, Wheater, Mancienne, Taylor, O'Hara, Milner, Cattermole, Huddlestone, Johnson, Noble, Agbonlahor (Campbell 76).
Subs Not Used: Heaton, Stearman, Cork, Bertrand, Derbyshire, Ebanks-Blake.

Goals: Wheater 19, Johnson 35, Agbonlahor 61.

Att: 10,500

Ref: Pavel Balaj (Romania).