Derbyshire delivers for U21s

Derbyshire: Winning goal

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• James Milner

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  • Gabriel Agbonlahor

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Matt Derbyshire scored the only goal of the game as England's Under 21 side ground out a narrow victory over Montenegro Under 21s at The Walkers Stadium.

Stuart Pearce's men continued their 100 per cent start in their bid to reach the European Championship U21 finals in 2009, and now lead Group 3 after rivals Portugal suffered a shock defeat to Bulgaria earlier in the day.

The margin of the scoreline could have been greater with Steven Taylor and Nedum Onuoha both hitting the woodwork, but England often lacked the quality to break down the visiting defence.

Joe Hart had precious little to do in the England goal and Pearce's men also had three decent penalty shouts turned down by Danish referee Anders Hermansen.

Tom Huddlestone delivered England's first corner after nine minutes to the far post where captain Taylor rose to meet the ball and headed it back across goal and against the outside of the post, before James Milner scuffed the rebound away from goal.

Blackburn striker Derbyshire should have done better with a header of his own shortly afterwards, but he could only direct Gabriel Agbonlahor's cross straight at goalkeeper Ivan Janjusevic.

Threaded

England took the lead after 20 minutes when the busy Milner threaded a superb ball through the Montenegro defence to Derbyshire and he made no mistake in slotting the ball beyond Janjusevic.

Andrew Surman, in the side in place of the suspended Mark Noble, limped out of the action on the half-hour mark with Fabrice Muamba coming on in his place.

England laid siege to the Montenegro goal as half-time approached, but despite a number of opportunities - many created by Huddlestone's set-piece deliveries - they could not break through again.

Floundering

Pearce's side continued to press at the start of the second period and Agbonlahor left two defenders floundering in his wake with a superb turn, but Derbyshire somehow missed from close range at the near post, although the offside flag spared his blushes.

Huddlestone then played in Milner, who stung Janjusevic's fingers as he tipped the Newcastle winger's powerful strike over the bar.

Nedum Onuoha went even closer in the 64th minute, powering yet another Huddlestone corner against the face of the crossbar, before the Spurs midfielder drilled a shot wide.

Derbyshire, who had suffered a knock in a collision with Janjusevic earlier in the half, was replaced by Cameron Jerome with 11 minutes remaining, before Michael Kightly came on for Agbonlahor.