A second-half header from Kamil Glik earned Poland a point against England in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group H.

The defender's 70th-minute intervention was suitable reward for an industrious and enterprising display from the hosts, who had fallen behind just after the half-hour mark to Wayne Rooney's third international goal in five days. England, now a point clear at the top of the section, will cede the initiative in the group if second-placed Montenegro defeat San Marino on 14 November.

A match which was delayed for 20 hours was slow in producing goalscoring opportunities of substance. Busy down both flanks, Poland fashioned a couple of half-chances inside the first 15 minutes, with Kamil Grosicki missing his kick from Glik's cut-back and Joe Hart whipping the ball off Ludovic Obraniak's toes following Łukasz Piszczek's pass infield.

Robert Lewandowski, seeking his first international goal since the opening game of UEFA EURO 2012, then shrugged off Tom Cleverley and flashed a shot wide before the visitors to Warsaw took a somewhat surprise lead.

Steven Gerrard – winning his 99th cap – battled his way into the penalty area to secure a corner, which the captain took from the England left. Rooney, having lost marker Piszczek, headed past Przemysław Tytoń via a deflection off the right-back.

If Waldemar Fornalik's side felt aggrieved to be behind, they responded positively in a strong start to the second half. Only the vigilance of Glen Johnson, after Phil Jagielka had failed to cut out Grosicki's cross, cleared the danger as Lewandowski prepared to pounce. Obraniak then warmed Hart's fingertips with a long-range shot.

With Rooney dropping deep, leaving Jermain Defoe up front on his own, and Roy Hodgson's team not retaining possession, the traffic was becoming one way. Piszczek was the next to threaten when he struck a half-volley wide of Hart's left-hand post.

After a brief period of respite for England in which Rooney fired over from substitute Danny Welbeck's pass, the equaliser Poland had been threatening arrived with 20 minutes remaining as Glik beat Joleon Lescott and Hart to head in Obraniak's right-wing corner.