By Tony Leighton

Rachel Yankey of England battles with Blanka Penickova (left)

England maintained their unbeaten Euro 2009 qualifying record to stay five points clear in Group One, but were disappointing against Czech Republic.

The hosts were without Kelly Smith through suspension and they failed to cope with the close marking and aggressive tackling of the Czechs.

Katerina Doskova had the visitors' best chance, but keeper Siobhan Chamberlain did well to save her 12-yard effort.

Fara Williams's late free-kick was the closest England came to scoring.

Hope Powell's side face trips to Belarus, the Czech Republic and Spain in their final three group games.

England entered the match with a 100% record, but were bitterly disappointing against a side likely to be their chief rivals to qualify for next year's finals in Finland.

Czech striker Pavlina Scasna was missing with a knee injury, but her replacement Doskova almost made an immediate impression, however, forcing Chamberlain into a sixth-minute block from a 12-yard shot.

England had most of the possession following the early scare but failed to produce any openings until winger Karen Carney's 31st-minute free-kick led to captain Faye White heading narrowly wide.

A poor first-half showing led to two substitutions, striker Lianne Sanderson giving way to Eni Aluko and central defender Lindsay Johnson taking over from Mary Phillip.

But England finally forced Marcela Zbrilova into her first save as the Czech goalkeeper stopped White's effort from Yankey's 63rd-minute corner.

Zbrilova was in action again five minutes later, saving Williams's 20-yard free-kick at the second attempt.

England finally produced a chance from open play three minutes from time - but from Aluko's cross right-back Alex Scott volleyed well wide from only six yards out.

• England coach Hope Powell:
"I'm not happy. Missing Kelly Smith is not an excuse - too many players were not on their game and some of them need to look at themselves and be absolutely honest.

"Credit to the Czechs, they came and did a job on us and we couldn't work it out. At times we were very naive and we need to be smarter.

"We got a point, but I'm just pleased we didn't lose the game. We've certainly got some work to do now."

England: Chamberlain, A Scott, White, Phillip (Johnson 46), Stoney, Asante, Williams, Westwood, Carney, Sanderson (Aluko 46), Yankey.
Subs not used: Telford, Unitt, Handley, Smith, Bassett.

Czech Republic: Zbrilova, Pincova, Bertholdova, Heroldova, Kladrubska (Hoferkova 69), Penickova (Pivonkova 88), I Martinkova, Smeralova, Vesela, L. Martinkova; Doskova
Subs not used: Odlasova, Divisova, Markova, Kralova, Danielova.

Referee: Ms E Oedlund (Sweden)