Town striker Darren Bent made his first start as the England U21s lost 1-0 to Spain in Alcala de Henares on Tuesday night. The game was marred by racist chanting aimed at Bent and a number of other England players.

All Bent's previous nine caps had been as a sub but his seven goals and an injury to Blackburn's Jonathan Stead saw him handed a start alongside Carlton Cole.

The only goal of the game came from Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas just after the hour.

Bent was a danger throughout on the break but Spain were the better side and deserved their victory.

The FA have written to UEFA regarding racist chanting aimed at the Town striker and England's other black players. Bent, Aston Villa's Carlton Cole and Chelsea's Glen Johnson were all subjected to monkey chants from the terraces.

Coach Peter Taylor heard chants aimed Cole: "I thought I heard something in the first half - it was disappointing.

"It happened when Carlton was running through towards the Spanish goal."

Photo: Action Images

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