By Tony Leighton

Carney's goal puts England in a strong position to qualify

England head into 2008 as Group One leaders in their Euro 2009 qualifying campaign after a Karen Carney goal gave them a hard-fought 1-0 win over Spain.

In front of 8,753, the biggest crowd yet at Shrewsbury's New Meadow, it kept up Hope Powell's team's 100% record.

Carney lashed in the winner from a narrow angle, though Spain nearly levelled when they hit the woodwork.

Powell admitted: "It was hard work. We weren't at our best but credit to Spain because they made it difficult for us."

Interview: England coach Hope Powell

She added: "There was a bit of fatigue among our players after a long, tough year, but I can't fault their endeavour and work rate."

Powell's team started brightly enough but then faded before producing a better performance in the second half.

We were more vibrant and tenacious in the second half and deserved to win Hope Powell

They were denied an early goal when keeper Ainhoa Tirapu pulled off an excellent diving save from midfielder Jill Scott's ninth-minute header.

Eight minutes later Tirapu did well to keep out left winger Rachel Yankey's well-struck long-range drive.

Spain were posing little threat and from their only shot of the first half, a 35th-minute 25-yard effort by left-winger Laura del Rio, keeper Rachel Brown made an easy save.

England's threat also diminished towards half-time, though four minutes before the break striker Eni Aluko sent a 20-yard shot just wide.

An improved second-half display saw midfielder Fara Williams and striker Kelly Smith go close before Carney hit the only goal with a narrow-angled shot in the 65th minute.

England's one stroke of luck arrived eight minutes later, when del Rio's 15-yard strike cannoned off the crossbar.

The home side then played out the closing stages to clinch a victory that took them two points clear of the Czech Republic at the top of Qualifying Group One.

Powell said: "We were more vibrant and tenacious in the second half, and although Spain hit the bar I felt we deserved to win the match."

Next up for England in their qualifying cmpaign is a visit to Northern Ireland, who they have already beaten 4-0 at home, in March.

And Powell said: "I'm glad the year's over and we can re-charge our batteries, re-establish our fitness levels and come back rejuvenated in the new year."

England: Brown (Everton); A. Scott (Arsenal), White (Arsenal), Asante (Arsenal), Stoney (Chelsea); J. Scott (Everton), Williams (Everton); K. Smith (Arsenal); Carney (Arsenal), Aluko (Chelsea) (sub Sanderson (Arsenal) 54), Yankey (Arsenal).
Subs not used: Phillip (Arsenal), Chamberlain (Chelsea), Unitt (Everton), S. Smith (Leeds United), Johnson (Everton), Handley (Everton).

Spain: Tirapu; Iturregi (Garcia 70), Nicolau, Gimber, Torrejon; Fernandez (Jose Perez 63), Gurrutxaga (Paz Azagra 75), Vilanova, Vazquez, Del Rio; Aybar.
Subs not used: Torras, Martin, Paz Vilas, Sanchez.