Jermain Defoe continued his remarkable scoring run, hitting his fifth international goal in six matches to send England on their way to victory over Greece at Ewood Park.

Malcolm Christie added a vital late second before Dimitrious Papadopoulos scored an injury-time penalty.

Darius Vassell and Defoe were particularly lively up-front and Ledley King gave an assured defensive display.

However, England's victory hung in the balance as a technically accomplished Greek side dominated for long spells.

For 15 minutes either side of the interval the visitors enjoyed significant territorial advantage as well as the majority of posession as they attempted to restore parity.

Jermain Defoe had put the hosts ahead after just ten minutes, heading home Jonathan Greening's accurate centre.

Despite their encouraging start England found themselves under sustained pressure as Greece poured forward.

Kiriazis' header from a floated free-kick forced Chris Kirkland into a smart save.

Papadopoulos caused problems at the heart of England's defence - denied a scoring chance by Ledley King's interception and then, later, by his own miscontrol.

Under pressure

However, England had almost doubled their lead by then.

Three minutes after Defoe's opener Greece keeper Kotsolis produced an excellent save, diving full length to push a defllected corner around the upright.

Greece continued to exert superiority after the break and, again, England hung on.

Kirkland launched himself at Papadopolous' feet after the striker had shown exquisite skill to fashion a chance for an equaliser.

And then Greece's best chance went begging as Kiraiz fired wide from inside the penalty area following fluid approach play.

But with three quarters of the match gone, Vassell could have ensured the remainder of the match would not be as nerve-testing for England.

But Jermaine Pennant's drilled cross was turned over by the Aston Villa striker from just five yards.

Gareth Barry was next to spurn a good chance, but substitue Christie showed how to stay calm in front of goal.

He cooly slootted home after beating the off-side trap.

Ledley King then conceded a spot-kick which was dipatched by Burnley striker Papadopoulos, but it proved only a consolation strike.

England U21: Kirkland, Young, King, Barry, Bridge, Greening, Dunn, Carrick, Pennant, Defoe, Vassell. Subs: Christie, Robinson, Ameobi, Wright, Chadwick, Wilson, Prutton.

Greece U21: Kotsolis, Nastos, Loumpoutis, Kiriazis, Tavlaridis, Kyrgiakos, Katsouranis, Petrou, Papadopoulos, Vakouftsis, Theodoridis. Subs: Anastasopoulos, Kostoulas, Berneanu, Salpigidis, Vallas, Gittas, Iordanidis.

Referee: Iturralde Gonzalez