England came from behind to get their first win at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup as second-half goals from Jill Scott and Jess Clarke downed New Zealand 2-1 in Dresden.

Held by Mexico in their opening Group B fixture, England looked under threat when they fell behind to a Sarah Gregorius goal after 16 minutes, the New Zealand striker getting between Rachel Unitt and Casey Stoney to turn in a cross by Amber Hearn.

England's opponents had never taken a point at the World Cup but almost added a second as Gregorius threatened to run clear only to be thwarted by a fine saving tackle by Unitt. However, England got back on track in the second half as Jill Scott rose high to head in an Alex Scott cross for the equaliser after 63 minutes.

Rosie White missed a glorious opportunity to restore New Zealand's advantage and England took advantage of that reprieve with Clarke's 81st-minute winner. After Jenny Bindon had failed to handle a Unitt cross, Jill Scott teed up substitute Clarke to hammer a shot into the roof of the net and put England second in the section, two points behind their final group opponents, Japan.