England women 0-2 Iceland women

By Tony Leighton

England's Rachel Yankey (right) in action in the game at Colchester

England's nine-match unbeaten run was ended in their penultimate friendly before next month's European Championship finals in Finland.

A team made up largely of fringe players lost to goals by Holmfridur Magnuisdottir and Margret Vidarsdottir.

It was the first Icelandic victory in the 10 meetings between the two sides.

National coach Hope Powell said: "I'd like to have won but there were a lot of youngsters and new faces in the team and they gave it a real go."

She added: "The quality of our passing let us down at times and we lost our way a bit, but overall I'm not unhappy with what I've seen.

"It was important to have a look at everybody before naming the squad for the Euro finals, and there were some questions answered.

"Selection certainly won't be easy because this is the most competitive squad I've had since I've been in charge."

Powell's team enjoyed the vast majority of the possession, but they lacked penetration and the visitors looked more dangerous in front of goal.

Striker Vidarsdottir and left winger Magnusdottir both went close with early efforts.

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And it was Magnusdottir who shot Iceland into the lead with a low 18-yard shot in the 26th minute.

England's first on-target effort, a 43rd minute header by captain Faye White, was cleared off the line by right winger Dora Larusdottir.

Midfielders Emily Westwood and Jill Scott had long-range shots kept out by goalkeeper Thora Helgadottir in the early stages of the second half.

But in the 56th minute England's substitute keeper Carly Telford had to make a fingertip save from Vidarsdottir.

The home side's best effort arrived nine minutes later, striker Eni Aluko cutting across the penalty area to have a 15-yard shot well saved by Helgadottir.

England's hopes of saving the game were ended nine minutes from time, however, Vidarsdottir muscling her way through the middle to slide the ball past Telford.

Powell's team's final pre-Euro 2009 game is against Denmark at Swindon next Wednesday, 22 July.

She added: "Hopefully the players will bounce back and we'll head into the Euros on a positive note."

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England (4-2-1-3): Chamberlain (Chelsea) (Telford (Leeds Carnegie 46); Unitt (Everton), Bassett (Arsenal), White (Arsenal), Yorston (Arsenal) (Susi (Chelsea) 65); Buet (Chelsea), Scott (Everton) (Williams (Doncaster Belles) 65); Westwood (Everton); Clarke (Leeds Carnegie) (Davison (Arsenal) 79) , Aluko (St Louis Athletica), Yankey (Arsenal).

Iceland (4-2-3-1): Helgadottir; Sigurdardottir, Jonsdottir, G. Gunnarsdottir, O. Vidarsdottir; Gardarsdottir, Stefansdottir (Omarsdottir 70); Larusdottir, S. Gunnarsdottir, Magnusdottir; M. Vidarsdottir.

Attendance: 4,170