Striker Darren Bent ran out the winner in his private U21 battle with club team-mate Lewis Price, scoring the second goal as England's youngsters beat Wales 2-0 at Blackburn's Ewood Park.

Bent came on as a 19th minute substitute for Carlton Cole and headed a Stewart Downing freekick home from close range in the 73rd minute, Newcastle's James Milner having put Peter Taylor's men in front just after the break.

The Town striker has now scored seven goals in nine U21 appearances all as a substitute, and five in four games this season. However, he may be set for a first start in Azarbaijan on Tuesday with Carlton Cole unable to travel due to an ankle injury.

Despite falling to a defeat - and conceding his first goals at this level in this his third cap - Price had an impressive game making superb saves from Blackburn's Jon Stead and, perhaps more satisfyingly, Bent. Price's Welsh face Poland on Tuesday.

England: Carson, Johnson (Taylor 85), Hunt, Davenport, Harding, Pennant (Whittingham 75), Milner, O'Neil, Downing, Cole (Bent 19), Stead.

Wales: Price, Anthony, Duffy, Parslow, Gilbert, Birchall (Carpenter 75), Fowler (Crowell 70), Pipe, Tolley, Vaughan, Calliste.

Photo: Action Images

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