Fowler saves England blushes

England 2 Cameroon 2

Robbie Fowler headed a last-gasp equaliser for England in their final World Cup warm-up international with the Cameroon in Kobe.

Fowler, in his first appearance since recovering from a hip injury, levelled two minutes into injury-time.

But before that only Darius Vassell, with his third goal in four starts for England, Owen Hargreaves and Wayne Bridge made much impression ahead of the opening World Cup clash with Sweden on June 2.

The African side, which is to play Ireland next Saturday, shocked England by taking a lead after just five minutes when Samuel Eto'o stroked home after the ball came back off the post from a Patrick Mboma shot.

England settled quickly though and Emile Heskey had a header deflected wide while a cross from Darius Vassell was just too high for Owen.

Then after 12 minutes Vassell brought England back onto level terms with his third goal in four starts for England.

Owen played the ball back to Paul Scholes who slipped a perfect ball into the path of Vassell.

The Aston Villa player took the ball into his stride and clinically drilled the ball past Boukar Alioum via the right-hand post.

Eriksson again opted to ring the changes at half-time with David James, Martin Keown, Gareth Southgate, Danny Mills, Teddy Sheringham and Trevor Sinclair replacing Martyn, Ferdinand, Campbell, Scholes, Owen and Heskey.

It was Sinclair’s first taste of action since he became a fully-fledged member of the squad after rejoining the England party on Saturday.

Mills slotted into the right midfield berth in front of Brown with Joe Cole moving into the centre alongside Owen Hargreaves.

The second half began in the same low-key way in which the opening 45 minutes had ended before England won a corner only for Hargreaves’ centre to be cleared by the Cameroon defence.

Mills brought the crowd to life with a low left-footed shot which was saved by Alioum to his right.

After 57 minutes Cameroon regained the lead through a stunning free-kick from Real Madrid’s Geremi, who is attracting the interest of Chelsea.

Southgate handled just outside the area and paid a heavy price. Geremi bent the free-kick which beat the dive of James as it flew into the net via a post.

Keown then had a react quickly to deny Mboma after he had been played in down the centre of the England defence.

Then the same player tried his luck with a snap shot from 20 yards out which contained plenty of power but was dealt with relative ease by James.

England were seldom threatening their opponents but after 74 minutes there was a rare moment of excitement when a Sheringham header at the near post was blocked by Alioum following a corner by Hargreaves.

That was Vassell’s last taste of action after another impressive display before he made way for Robbie Fowler, who had recovered from a hip problem.

David James failed to hold onto a deep cross from Joel Epalle one of the string of second half Cameroon substitutes but Keown was able to block the follow-up effort from Daniel Kome.

Then in injury-time Fowler salvaged a draw for England with a header at the far post.