England Under-21s 3 Serbia & Montenegro Under-21s 2Darren Bent clambered off the bench to get England under-21s back to winning ways in a thrilling friendly against Serbia and Montenegro in Hull last night.

England Under-21s 3 Serbia & Montenegro Under-21s 2

Darren Bent clambered off the bench to get England under-21s back to winning ways in a thrilling friendly against Serbia and Montenegro in Hull last night.

The Ipswich striker replaced Jermaine Pennant in the 82nd minute for only his second international appearance – and five minutes later knocked home Carlton Cole's flick-on to seal the win.

England thought they would have to settle for a draw after Srdan Stanic's equaliser for the visitors just two minutes earlier.

But until the late fireworks it seemed that Jermain Defoe's seventh international goal would be the one to ensure David Platt's side went into next week's crucial European Championship qualifier in good heart. The West Ham youngster produced a clinical 68th-minute finish after being superbly sent clear by Pennant.

Platt handed three players their full debuts but Chelsea goalkeeper Rhys Evans will remember his big night for the wrong reasons after being stretchered off in the 49th minute.

Phil Jagielka and Steven Sidwell both impressed as England built on Shola Amoebi's first-half opener and shrugged off the shock of conceding an equaliser, scored by Branimir Petrovic.