Hart breaking as Pearce kids denied by fluke after Matt strike

The newly-appointed coach declared himself reasonably happy after the first and only warm-up game before a tough qualification schedule for the European Championship Finals in Sweden in two years' time.

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One-up: Derbyshire celebrates his opener

With the heartbreak of semi-final defeat in this year's finals in Holland earlier this summer still fresh in the memory, Pearce fielded a scratch side, and only a freak first-half free-kick stood between him and ending his first official 90 minutes in the job with a victory.

There were nine new faces on show but the former England skipper is confident he can mould them into a group capable of coming through six matches before the end of November with their chances of reaching Scandinavia still intact.

Matt Derbyshire got Pearce off to a dream start by sidefooting home in the eighth minute, but, although the hosts dominated in terms of possession, they were unable to find the killer touch that would have seen confidence restored after losing to the Dutch in the penalty shoot-out at Heerenveen.

Pearce said: "In some ways the expectation level has been pushed up — and rightly so. We have to live up to that.

"A few of the big-hitters could play better than they did, but overall I'm relatively pleased. We can get better and we will get better.

Stretched: England keeper Hart conceded an own goal

"I have an honest group. Before I even open my mouth, they know what they're doing. They set their own standards. The initial reaction is that they're good lads who want to work hard and be successful.

"It's going to be a tough qualifying campaign. We're talking about the finals in two years' time. It's very difficult to call. We have six or seven players who came from the squad who did reasonably well during the summer.

"We have six qualifiers before the end of November. In an ideal world I'd have liked more friendlies to allow the lads to bed in. But I don't have that luxury. However, I'm confident we have enough to quality."

After goalkeeper Joe Hart turned over one speculative long-range drive in only the second minute, England's juniors took control, dominating the opening exchanges.

They were rewarded when Gabriel Agbonlahor — recalled to Pearce's side following the confusion over his availability for the European Championship this summer — made the most of a throw-in, turning his marker to try his luck from the right-hand edge of the area.

It appeared to be more of a shot than a cross but Derbyshire was alive to the possibilities and stole in at the far post to sidefoot home his third goal in five games at this level.

That should have provided a platform for Pearce's side but their good work was undone in the 24th minute when an untimely slip and hand-ball on the edge of his area by Nedum Onuoha presented the Romanians with an opportunity.

Striker Bogdan Stancu's free-kick crashed into the woodwork and then into the back of the diving Hart, the ball rolling over the line for an equaliser that had more than a hint of good fortune about it.

Derbyshire headed the best opportunity of the half over then found Romania keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu showing true international class with a one-handed save from Adam Johnson's left-wing centre.

Theo Walcott, who enjoyed another impressive game at this level, appeared to be impeded as he gathered the loose ball but Norwegian referee Svein Oddvar Moen failed to deem it worthy of a penalty.

Nearly all the action was centred on the visitors' goal as this friendly entered its final quarter, and that continued until the final whistle after visitors' midfielder Cristian Scutaru was sent off for two bookable offences 18 minutes from time.

However, for all their endeavour, England could find no way through the massed ranks of yellow shirts in front of them.