England: R.Brown, L.Johnson, R.Unitt, A.Asante, K.Chapman, M.Phillip, K.Carney, F.Williams, A.Barr (C.Stoney 63), K.Smith (E.Aluko 82), J.Potter.

Sweden made nine changes from the side which contested the goalless draw two days earlier and now looked a more experienced outfit. England only made two changes and would certainly be hoping that Kelly Smith could impose herself on the Swedes having sat out the previous encounter.

After just five minutes of sparring, however, England Ladies fell behind to an excellent goal.

Salina Olsson fed Victoria Svensson who was able to turn away from Katie Chapman, again starting at centre half, and slide a perfect ball beyond Mary Phillip which Maria Aronsson took in her stride to easily despatch beyond Rachel Brown.

The game was being fiercely contested and although England managed plenty of possession they rarely looked like puncturing the Swedish defence.

Karen Carney managed to break the shackles with an incisive break down the right but Sara Larsson was able to intercept the cut back intended for Kelly Smith.

In general it was still Sweden who looked the more dangerous as they broke at the England defence with pace and intent. Nilla Fischer went close before Rachel Unitt had to be alert to block Aronsson after another strong run by Olsson.

Before half time Anna Paulson had also gone close with a header and the interval arrived with Sweden deservedly ahead.

Half Time: England Ladies 0 Sweden Ladies 1

There was certainly more purpose behind the England attacks from the off in the second half but there remained a definite lack of penetration up front where Amanda Barr was struggling to make an impression.

England's increased pressure did result in a steady supply of deadball opportunities, however, and with Jo Potter delivering to her usual high standard these offered a consistent threat.

Chapman was just too high from a Potter corner and Amanda Barr also wasted a decent chance as England began to dominate. It was Barr's substitution and a major re-shuffle just past the hour mark that really saw England take control, however.

Casey Stoney replaced the forward and slotted in at right back. Lindsay Johnson moved across to centre half, Chapman pushed up into midfield and Kelly Smith moved forward to provide the spearhead.

All these changes helped the cause, as did the fact that England immediately equalised.

Potter swung over another dangerous free kick which Sofia Lundgren dropped under challenge from Chapman and Rachel Unitt pounced to level the scores from eight yards.

England continued to press forward and Chapman forced Lundgren to save on her goalline with another strong header before Smith showed her strength and immaculate ball control in bursting through three challenges. Unfortunately her subsequent shot was too close to Lundgren who saved comfortably.

Smith was asking far more questions of the Swedish defence from her more advanced position and was getting more joy in the physical battle than she had coming from midfield where weight of numbers had often stifled her.

Chapman was doing everything she could to get on the scoresheet but saw another header blocked in the goalmouth as did Rachel Unitt as the pressure continued.

Sweden remained dangerous on the break, however, and looked like snatching victory on one raid only for poor control at the far post to come to England's rescue.

The game ended with Eni Aluko, given the last ten minutes, stopped by a last ditch tackle as her pace threatened to carry her clear and England had to settle for a draw. The result was a little disappointing given the second half performance but probably about right overall.

Hope Powell said after the game that her team deserved "great credit" for their second half comeback and rightfully chose to praise the contribution of Charlton's Josanne Potter.

Whether these two games had left Powell any clearer as to her starting line up for the France game was unclear, however. Katie Chapman had impressed at centre half in the absence of Faye White but had also perked up the midfield alongside Fara Williams when moved forward.

Kelly Smith had also looked a far greater threat when pushed upfront. Personally I would be interested to see how Smith combined alongside Eni Aluko in a 4-4-2 formation but this does not look an option Powell fancies.

Since trouncing Hungary her side has looked to lack penetration, however, and this was certainly also the case in last summers' European Championships.

Amanda Barr has not really impressed on the international stage for some time now and, despite her experience, she must surely be under threat from a host of talented younger players. The two Ellen's, Maggs and White, both have genuine quality and Arsenal's Lianne Sanderson is more than holding her own in her star studded club side and looks international class already.

Generally solid in defence and with a nice balance in midfield this seems the one area where England Ladies can significantly improve. If they did they would be looking like a match for anyone.

Full Time: England Ladies 1 Sweden Ladies 1

Brown 7, Johnson 7, Unitt 9, Asante 6, Chapman 8, Phillip 7, Carney 8, Williams 7, Barr 5 (Stoney 7), K.Smith 8, Potter 8.