England U-19s 2 Slovakia U-19s 0

Cheltenham Town loan striker Shaun Jeffers helped England Under-19s to a 2-0 friendly win over Slovakia at Crewe Alexandra this evening.

Jeffers, who has agreed an extension to his temporary spell from Coventry, went on for his England debut in the 69th minute and was brought down 25 yards from goal four minutes later and the resulting free-kick put Noel Blake's side 2-0 up.

England had taken the lead in the 16th minute when a poor pass from Patrik Jacko was cut out just inside the Slovakia half and Liverpool's Michael Ngoo took full advantage, slamming a shot past the dive of Patrick Le Giang and inside the left upright.

It was a debut goal for London-born Ngoo, who has been a regular for Liverpool's reserve team since moving to Anfield from Southend United.

England skipper Jonjo Shelvey, also of Liverpool, set up Ezekiel Fryers for a good chance in the 22nd minute, but he shot wide of the far post.

Rangy forward Ngoo cut inside from the left in the 39th minute, but his curling shot was too high as Noel Blake's side finished the first half 1-0 ahead.

The pick of England's Young Lions in the first half were Ngoo and Shelvey, who was involved in most of their notable attacking play.

Birmingham City's Jack Butland in the England goal was largely untroubled, although he demonstated safe handling in taking several crosses.

England's Under-19s side have fared well at Crewe in the past and it is a little known fact that the senior side played an international fixture at the stadium, beating Wales 5-1 in 1888 (before even Dario Gradi's time at the club!)

Prior to this evening's match, England development teams had lost just once in four visits to the home of the Railwaymen.

The first real chance of the second half was set up by Josh McEachran of Chelsea for Shelvey, but Le Giang made a good save with his legs.

Ngoo went close again, but his effort was deflected wide of the near post for a corner.

Blake began to ring the changes after an hour, but Shelvey continued to cause Slovakia problems and he even tried his luck with a Beckham-esque shot from the halfway line that drifted wide.

Jeffers' big moment arrived as he replaced Chelsea's Aziz Deen Conteh for his first taste of action in an England shirt.

The 18-year-old Coventry starlet won a free-kick 30 yards from goal shortly after going on as he was bundled to the ground. Shelvey stepped up and scored England's second of the night with a well executed free-kick that nestled in the top right corner.

Jeffers then embarked on a strong run down the right and pressured the Slovakian goalkeeper into conceding a corner. He is making a habit of making big impressions from the bench, but will be hoping to earn his first Football League start when Cheltenham visit Barnet on Saturday in npower League Two.

A long-range attempt from Michal Skvarka was held by Butland as Slovakia threatened in the 83rd minute, but England went close again as Le Giang made a diving save to deny Benik Afobe of Arsenal.

Middlesbrough's Luke Williams then saw a wonderful shot turned onto the post acrobatically by the goalkeeper as England pressed for a third, but it remained 2-0 after a useful workout played in front of a decent crowd.

England Under-19s: J Butland; B Pilatos (L Laing 62), A Deen Conteh (S Jeffers 69), A Wisdom, A MacDonald, J Mills, J Shelvey (c) (L Williams 76) R Barkley (N Yennaris 46), M Ngoo (B Afobe 62), J McEachran (W Keane 62), E Fryers. Sub not used: S Johnstone (gk).

Slovakia Under-19s: P Le Giang; M Vrablec, Z Cibula, J Bartek, M Janec; M Lalkovic (J Vojtus 63), P Jacko (J Pilat 34), P Stefanak, J Hronec (D Kunca 63); M Skvarka (c), J Dolny (N Hubec 46). Subs not used: L Urminsky (gk), N Hejuus, I Mudry.

Referee: G Eltringham.

Attendance: 3,013.

Shaun Jeffers on winning his first England cap: "It meant everything and when the coach called my name to come on I was buzzing and ready to get on the field and show what I can do.

"I played a part in the goal, winning the free-kick which was a bit lucky, but it is always nice to be involved in goals. I am proud, but I knew I had to get my head down and show what I can do, but when you look back at the players you are playing with, it's a great experience.

"We have trained four or five times and I have enjoyed it. The manager was pleased with the way we played, but thought we could have scored more goals.

"It's been a great start to the season and hopefully I can carry it on. I want to play against Barnet on Saturday and get some more minutes so I will speak to the gaffer (Mark Yates) and see what he says.

"I have been on standby for England before, but this was my first call-up so I will just take all the things from training really and confidence from the experience.

"The main objective is to win more caps and then senior caps hopefully. It's all experience and it will all improve me.

"I want to get as many games as I can and it would mean a lot to get first Football League start, but just being part of the team means a lot to me too."