England edge out Slovenia

Striker Shola Ameobi maintained David Platt's unbeaten record as England Under-21 coach with the solitary goal in a 1-0 friendly international victory over Slovenia.

Just reward
The 20-year-old Newcastle United FC forward side-footed home a Malcolm Christie cross just four minutes after coming on as a 61st-minute substitute to extend Platt's run to six wins and a draw. It was just reward for Ameobi, who had two minutes earlier rattled Saso Fornezzi's post with a drive from 22 metres.

Tough task
Until Ameobi's introduction, Slovenia had proved a tough test for Platt's men, despite having defender Matjaz Lunder sent off in the 36th minute for a trip on Jermain Defoe, and it took a fine save from replacement goalkeeper Nick Weaver to deny the home side an equaliser six minutes from time.

Riggott header
Slovenia started brightly in Nova Gorica and Amir Krsic almost caught out starting goalkeeper Paul Robinson with a quickly-taken free-kick, but it was not long before the visitors started to assert themselves. Defender Chris Riggott sent a looping header onto the roof of Fornezzi's goal and David Dunn drove into the side-netting after cutting in from the left.

Red card
Nine minutes before the break, the balance of power swung massively in favour of England with Lunder's dismissal and Dunn and Scott Parker both went close before Ameobi finally broke the hosts' spirited resistance. However, Slovenia battled on gamely and it took a fine save from Weaver to deny Robnik an 84th-minute equaliser from a searing 20-metre drive.