Town striker Dean Bowditch's goal and assist were not enough to see the England U17s to the final of the European Championships in Visnea on Wednesday afternoon. A late equaliser for hosts Portugal led to a penalty shoot-out which ended in England defeat.

Bowditch put England ahead in the seventh minute, deftly flicking the ball home from the edge of the six-yard box with his right foot after muscling his way in front of a defender as a cross came on from the left.

The lead lasted only a minute or so until Freitas' freekick from wide on the left looped over England keeper Heaton and into the net.

On 20 the young Town striker was again in the thick of the action, laying the ball inside to Leeds midfielder James Milner who lashed the ball into the net to put the visitors 2-1 up.

England held the advantage until second half injury time when Saleiro nodded in a header. The 40 minutes-a-half competition had no provision for extra-time and the match went straight to penalties. England lost the shoot-out 3-2 with Bowditch not taking a kick.

England now face Austria in the third-fourth play-off in Sta Comba Dao on Saturday. Bowditch's goal was his second of the tournament, the first coming in the 2-1 win against Israel in the group stage.

Photo: Action Images

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