European U21 Championship: Saido Berahino's late winner sees England U21s beat Croatia 2-1

Saido Berahino scored a late winner from the penalty spot as England Under-21s battled back from a goal down to beat Croatia Under-21s 2-1 in their Euro 2015 play-off first leg at Molineux.

Gareth Southgate's side will now take a narrow lead into the second leg which will take place in Vinkovci on Tuesday.

England qualified for the play-offs by winning nine and drawing one of their 10 group games, but it was Croatia who took a shock lead in the 13th minute in Wolverhampton when Marko Livaja was allowed time and space at the far post from a corner as he nodded home from Niko Datkovic's flick.

The home side went close minutes later when Manchester United defender Luke Shaw combined with Will Hughes before unleashing a powerful shot that struck the Croatia post.

Nathan Redmond was denied by Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic as England piled on the pressure and Hughes then had a decent shot charged down by Domagoj Pavicic. 

Croatia could have doubled their lead just before the break but teenage sensation Ante Coric had his long-range effort tipped over the bar by keeper Jack Butland.

England were right back in the game after the break when Tottenham striker Harry Kane levelled in the 57th minute with a diving header from Berahino's cross.

Redmond's 25-yard effort was well held by Livakovic and the Norwich City winger then turned provider for Kane, but the striker was unable to hit the target from inside the box.

The game got a bit niggly as Croatia had both Domagoj Pavicic and Mario Pasalic booked, Eric Dier and Ante Rebic also pushed each other during a break in play.

Tom Carroll picked out Redmond with a brilliant 50-yard crossfield pass when play restarted and the Norwich man controlled beautifully before curling a shot across goal.

Pavicic went close to putting Croatia back in front with a free header before Berahino was brought down by Livakovic inside the box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

The West Brom striker dusted himself down and stepped up to make it 2-1 with a calmly-taken spot-kick with just five minutes remaining on the clock.

Croatia had a golden chance to equalise in the dying minutes but Antonio Milic was denied by an excellent tackle from Spurs defender Eric Dier.