Nazarenko 29

It was an evening of an unwanted first for Fabio Capello’s England side as they surrendered their 100% and unbeaten records in World Cup qualifying Group Six.

A Sergiy Nazarenko shot, deflected off Ashley Cole, on 29 minutes consigned England to their first defeat in a competitive international under their Italian supremo.

And Robert Green became the first England keeper to be dismissed in an international after hauling down a goalbound Artem Milevskiy after just 13 minutes.

Although former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko struck the post with his wayward spot-kick, England suffered for their numerical disadvantage, as Capello surprisingly withdrew Aaron Lennon to accommodate substitute keeper David James.

Slovenian referee Damir Skomina threatened to call off proceedings after a number of lit flares landed in the England goalmouth in the opening minutes. The mists had barely cleared when England’s centre-backs were caught off guard by a long ball.

John Terry was out of position after venturing forward and Rio Ferdinand horribly misjudged the bouncing ball to allow Milevskiy in on the helpless Green. England were only briefly reprieved by the missed penalty. Fourteen minutes later Ashley Cole foolishly gave the ball away on the edge of the box and in racing across the penalty box to atone for his error, he only diverted Nazarenko’s left-foot 20-yard drive past James’s right hand.

Frank Lampard dragged a right-foot effort narrowly across the face of goal within a minute. But on 32 minutes Milevskiy’s 30-yard thunderbolt struck the inside of James’ right-hand post.

James twice came to England’s rescue in the second half. Shortly after half-time he athletically turned aside Yaroslav Rakyyskyy’s viciously-swerving long-range left-footer. And on 78 minutes, he blocked Andriy Yarmolenko’s shot after the substitute had caught England’s defence square.

Wayne Rooney shot wide as England pressurised Ukraine late on. But the hosts held on to all-but-qualify for November play-offs.