Pearce run is helped by his new kids on the block

Former England skipper Pearce used the friendly to blood some of his fringe players and they responded by making it nine matches without defeat.

Pearce explained his philosophy in the build-up. With his charges well on their way to qualification for next year's European Championship finals, he wanted to give up-and-coming youngsters as much exposure as possible.

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And he could be reasonably pleased with the outcome.

The personnel may have changed but his side played well even though his strikers failed to breach a determined Polish defence.

The stalemate makes it six wins and three draws since the country last tasted defeat against Holland last summer.

Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson was the pick of team.

The midfielder may struggle to get a game for Gareth Southgate with Stewart Downing just having signed a lengthy deal, but he he did enough to suggest a bright future.

Despite the overwhelming support of the public in this part of the world, it was a shame that the crowd did not see a goal.

This was the third goalless draw involving the Under-21s that had been staged by the club.

Pearce gave debuts to three players, one of whom — Tottenham's Jamie O'Hara — is one of the few earning his spurs in the Barclays Premier League.

By contrast, Coventry left back Daniel Fox was turning out for League One Walsall eight weeks ago. The third of the trio, Ryan Shawcross left Old Trafford to further his footballing education at Stoke.

They ran out in front of a crowd that included 1,500 noisy Poles who added to an atmosphere that was decidedly spikey.

England's pace unsettled the visitors early on. Johnson worked his way through the defence before being tripped on the edge of the area by Piotr Polczak. Aston Villa's Craig Gardner strikes a sweet shot but Przemyslaw Tyton parried his free-kick and then blocked Luke Moore's follow-up.

However, it was through the powerful running of Birmingham's Cameron Jerome that England next fashioned an opportunity. He weaved inside and out before unleashing a low shot which was saved by Tyton. Minutes later, he saw his header blocked.

Jerome caused panic but his efforts failed largely due to the inability of his colleagues to keep up with him.

Chelsea's Michael Mancienne was the busiest of England's rearguard. He battled gamely against the dangerous Szymon Pawlowski, and Joe Hart denied him with a decent low save in what was the visitors' only chance of note during the first half.

England huffed and puffed after the interval but posed little goal threat. They lacked the necessary guile to force their way through but Poland rarely troubled substitute keeper Tom Heaton, either.

However, Manchester United's Heaton made a fingertip stop to deny Radowslaw Majewski which ensured that Pearce will report to Fabio Capello today with his own unbeaten record intact.