Ashton misses out as the U-21s crash

England were well and truly outclassed in the match at Upton Park. After Defoe missed his one on one sitter Croatia took the lead against the run of play. After an excellent through pass to Ljubojevic he took a good first touch before slotting past Murray in goals.

10 minutes before half time Jermaine Defoe was ruled offside, when clearly onside, after scoring a 'equaliser'. In the second half it fell apart for England. Going 2-0 behind when Ljubojevic was on the end of a scramble in the box to poke into the net.

Arsenal's Jermaine Pennant made the night worse when hegot a straight red for an elbow and after a spell of 32 consecutive passes from the Croatian youngsters and brilliant lob from left back Buljat left England well and truly thrashed.

Ashton, although on the bench, didn't figure in the match.