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Chelsea's Lewis Baker struck five minutes from time to earn England a point in their opening Euro 2014 qualifier in Slovenia's oldest city Ptuj on Thursday.
Trailing to Maks Barisic's early goal, the young Lions' incessant second half pressure finally told when a Josh Murphy attempt deflected to Baker inside the penalty box. He controlled it, composed himself and rolled the ball home to earn a deserved draw.
Late strike: Lewis Baker grabbed precious draw for England
Noel Blake's team could scarcely afford to lose their opening match against the hosts, with England favourites to advance from a preliminary group that also contains Andorra and Switzerland.
His team take on minnows Andorra on Saturday and then Switzerland on Tuesday, both at the same Mestni Stadion in Ptuj, to try and reach the elite qualifying group for the tournament to be staged in Hungary next year.
Slovenia took the game to England in the opening minutes, with Barisic showing fine composure of his own to take down a Petar Stojanovic long ball, round Chelsea goalkeeper Mitchell Beeney and slot the ball home.
Most of the game after that belonged largely to England, with in-form Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom, who scored twice in his club's UEFA Youth League win over Napoli last week, curling a left-foot effort over the bar.
Battling: Noel Blake's side made a positive start to Euro 2014 qualifying campaign
Chelsea midfielder John Swift, on target on Sunday for his club's under 21 side against Manchester City, went close with a similar opportunity.
Though camped in their own half, Slovenia still looked a threat on the counter an Beeney saved well from a powerful Luka Gajic shot on 35 minutes. And the keeper was grateful for the woodwork when Barisic's glancing header bounced off the post and into his grateful hands just before half-time.
England emerged strongly in the second half and Akpom combined with Liverpool starlet Jordon Ibe on the left. The latter crossed to Southampton's Calum Chambers at the back post, only for the defender to head wide.
It was one-way traffic for much of the half as Slovenia retreated, but their defence was well-drilled and English chances few and far between.
Akpom took the direct route to goal and was tripped by Damjan Vuklisevic's outstretched leg but Lithuanian referee Nerijus Dunauskas waving away appeals.
Blake introduced Murphy, Mason Bennett and Shay Facey to freshen things up and, eventually, the pressure took its toll as Baker levelled with the kind of composed finish he produces for Chelsea on a regular basis.
Been There, Done That, United Kingdom, 11 hours ago
Noel Blake is a poor manager, coach and tactician.