BECKS STUNS GREEKS WITH LAST GASP STRIKE

Teddy Sheringham came off the bench to score with his first touch from a Beckham free kick, but schoolboy defending almost contrived to give Greece a deserved win, although on this occasion a draw did not see England fail to qualify as the draw did in the 1983 European Championship qualifying tie.

The Greeks took the lead twice and showed a performance that bore no comparison to their 5-1 loss to Finland last month, but with Germany failing to convert numerous chances and Beckham's last minute heroics on his home ground, England managed to avoid a tricky qualifying play-off against Ukraine.

Despite a bright start by England, with Paul Scholes almost forcing his way though in the first minute, it was Greece that enjoyed most of the possession.

A lack of inception and dynamism in the home side gave the Greeks more confidence and as the half went on they began to dominate, aided by a poor England performance. 

The only attacking showing from England came from set pieces, David Beckham getting his first opportunity in the seventh minute when he made Antonis Nikopolidis make a save, although in truth it was a simple one to make.

German coach Otto Rehhagel had obviously watched the video of the England victory against his home country, with Ashley Cole isolated on the left and the Greeks hunting in packs, denying space in the centre and right.

A complete lack of creativity stifled the Liverpool duo of Robbie Fowler and Emile Heskey up front.

Referee Dick Jol of the Netherlands attempted to stamp his authority on the game early, although Nikos Dabizas's two-footed tackle on Steven Gerrard was allowed to go unpunished, Scholes's similar challenge resulted in the first booking in the tenth minute.

Panagiotis Fissas almost got onto the end of the resulting free kick and England did not learn from their mistake as Giorgias Karagounis got time to fire in a shot that Martyn saved.

The Greeks had captain Theo Zagorakis booked for dissent but Demis Nikolaidis's 17th minute effort flew just over the bar as they pressed forward and the same player almost opened the scoring moments later when uncertainty in the English defence gave him space on the edge of the area and his shot on the turn flew just over the bar.

As England began to find themselves muscled out of the game, so uncertainty grew and Martyn was lucky to escape when a long range effort from Zagorakis bounced off him, but he recovered well to collect at the second attempt.

Eventually Greece did take advantage of their hosts as Christos Patsatzoglou beat Ashley Cole down the left, although the Arsenal unnecessarily dived in allowing the wing back to go on and cross, Rio Ferdinand's clearance was weak and Charisteas blasted the ball from the edge of the area past a diving Martyn.

It was Greece's first goal in England and stunned the Old Trafford crowd.

Towards the end of the half a clumsy foul by Konstantinidis on Beckham could have resulted in a penalty, whilst Heskey's low cross was almost put into his own net by the same player, but in truth England hardly merited an equaliser.

The second period saw England come out with renewed vigour and within the first three minutes, could have got back on level terms w