More than 500 police were on duty in Middlesbrough

Cleveland Police had more than 500 officers on duty for the Euro 2004 qualifier at Middlesbrough's Riverside ground.

The Football Association (FA) had feared serious action from European soccer officials if there was any repeat of the violent scenes which marred England's game with Turkey in April.

Trouble inside and outside Sunderland's Stadium of Light prompted Northumbria Police to release "name and shame" images of suspected hooligans.

But Wednesday's game passed off peacefully, with supporters at the Riverside heeding pleas that they enjoy the match and not cause trouble.

After the game, which England won 2-1, Cleveland Police reported 20 arrests.

Almost all were for alleged public order and drunk and disorderly offences.

All those arrested were men - nine were from Teesside and the others were from Bedfordshire, Yorkshire and Hertfordshire.

During the day, giant screens around the town showed an appeal by England captain David Beckham for supporters not to jeopardise the team's place in the tournament by their behaviour.

Although isolated incidents of trouble occurred just before the game outside the stadium, these were quickly dealt with and contained by police.

Officers said the atmosphere before kick-off was largely good natured.

Meanwhile police say they have arrested three people following the release of a second batch of 18 images of fans suspected of being involved in violence outside the Stadium of Light in April.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said they had identified several other men after help from the public.