This friendly international, arranged as part of the Football Association's 150th anniversary celebrations, proved to be a struggle for the England players especially at the end of a long, hard season. There were some good moments but overall the players looked rather jaded and leg-weary as the Irish team showed some typical fighting spirit.

England had the better of the opening few minutes, although the Irish were quick to close people down and prevent the home side finding a rhythm. In the fourth minute a long ball over the top from Frank Lampard to Wayne Rooney saw the Manchester United player try an audacious volley. He didn't quite connect properly and the ball went wide. But it was a good run by the striker and the pass was exquisite. The same two players tried a quick one-two in another England attack, but Lampard was blocked off by an Irish defender. In fact on 13 minutes, slightly against the run of play, it was the Republic who scored with their first real attack of the game.

Lampard lost possession in midfield and the ball found its way out to Seamus Coleman on the right wing. the Everton player was not closed down and had time and space to send in a brilliant curving cross towards the middle. Shane Long nipped behind Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill, and ahead of Glen Johnson. To leap high to glance a magnificent header wide of the despairing dive of Joe Hart and into the far corner of the net. It was a fine goal by the WBA player, and the vociferous Irish fans in the stadium were ecstatic.

England stepped up a gear and with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looking lively and Johnson making some good breaks down the right, the pressure mounted on the Irish back line. It took just ten minutes to find an equaliser, and it came with a typical piece of opportunism from the goal-hungry Lampard. The Chelsea midfield player timed his run into the box with his usual perfection and when the good work from Daniel Sturridge down the left ended with a cross into the middle, who was there to guide the ball home, but Lampard. It was a well taken goal and his 29th for England, but Sean St Leger will be kicking himself for missing an easy clearance just prior to Lampard's strike.

Both defences looked vulnerable at this stage with England struggling against a series of crosses and corners, and Ireland caught out by passes behind their back four. Unfortunately England's quality on that final pass into the danger area was poor, with Johnson and Theo Walcott guilty of wasting good positions. Another blow for England came just after the half-hour when Sturridge had to go off with what looked like a nasty injury. He had not had the best of games but Sturridge is one of those players who has a handy knack of scoring a goal out of nothing, so he would be missed for the rest of the match.

On 35 minutes a good move, one of England's best of the half, gave Oxlade- Chamberlain the opportunity for a shot. But it went tamely into the arms of solid goalkeeper David Forde and another chance was lost. At the other end England's twin centre-halves were struggling with the runs of Robbie Keane, and Long was a constant thorn, having said that though, Joe Hart's only involvement at this stage had been to pick the ball out of the net. McGeady then put one effort wide and then Walcott almost broke through only for the Irish defence to scramble the ball away. Apart from another run from Johnson, the half ended with honoursen. It had been an open end to end half, with not too much quality on show, and the score was about right.

In the second half England did tighten up a little with Phil Jones coming on for Johnson and Ben Foster given a run out in goal. Within two minutes of the restart we almost had the perfect goal of the night. Ashley Cole, so proud to be named captain for the game, to celebrate winning 100 appearances, was presented with a magnificent 'Golden Cap' to honour his achievement just before kick-off. During the game he gave his usual solid performance, but on 47 minutes he almost celebrated with his first ever goal for his country. A wonderful run by Walcott ended with a low cross into the box. Cole's eyes lit up as he drove into the box to meet the cross and it seemed a certain goal. But right at the death St Leger made up for his earlier error by making a crucial interception to clear the ball. It would have been a perfect way for Cole to top his remarkable career, but alas it wasn't to be.

Not long after that Cole was substituted by Leighton Baines and the captain's armband was passed to Lampard, with the full-back leaving to a deserved rousing reception. The match meanwhile, meandered along, with not a lot to report. Both managers made quite a few substitutions and when the hour was up only blocked shots from Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lampard and for Ireland, Coleman, saw anything like a goal. Jones was looking strong down the right and Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain were both full of running. One of the best moves by England saw the latter break swiftly, passed to substitute Jermaine Defoe who in turn moved the ball on to Walcott. The Arsenal player fired in a shot but Forde was down quickly to push the ball round a post.

One of the annoying features from an England fans point of view was the number of times Ireland latched on to the 'second' ball. But the visitors never really created anything and Foster's only involvement came when he fumbled a long cross from the left. Luckily for him the referee blew for an infringement. Both Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain had further half chances and then, with about ten minutes to go England fashioned their best goal chance of the half. Rooney, who had flitted in and out of the game, found Oxlade-Chamberlain with a good pass and the Arsenal youngster realised this was a golden chance. But Forde had other ideas and quickly closed the striker down, making himself as big as possible and blocking the shot.

There was further late pressure from England and on 86 minutes Forde again saved the day with a good block, this time from Walcott. After that the Irish held on fairly comfortably, and at the final whistle there was no doubt who was more pleased with the draw, as the Irish threw their arms in the air in celebration and their supporters cheered to the rafters!

It is difficult to be too critical of England's overall performance, although for one or two players it was probably a game too far after their hard season. Not to worry though, as in four day's time we have an easy fixture.... a trip to the Maracana Stadium in Brazil! Happy days.