McClaren rounds on ref

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England were one goal up in Russia and, in McClaren's eyes, in control when Cantalejo ruled Wayne Rooney tugged Konstantin Zyryanov's shirt inside the box. TV replays showed the foul occurred outside the area, yet up stepped Roman Pavlyuchenko to level from the spot and he netted again four minutes later to give Russia a crucial 2-1 win.

"It is an absolute disgrace," fumed McClaren. "We were comfortable, and they were running out of ideas. If that penalty had not been awarded, I am absolutely confident we would have won the game. We were in total control."

McClaren now knows if Russia beat Israel in Tel Aviv next month then Guus Hiddink's men will qualify at the expense of his own side once they have completed the formality of hammering Andorra in Moscow four days later - on the same night England are completing their campaign against Croatia.

Such a scenario would see England miss the final stages of a major championship for the first time since the 1994 World Cup, cost the Football Association millions in lost potential sponsorship - and almost certainly McClaren his job.

McClaren added: "I am not blaming anybody - but the penalty was given by a referee in a bad position because it was outside the box. I don't fault the players; I don't fault their attitude; I don't fault their endeavour - and I don't fault what they did in the game.

"Because of one decision, we went from being in a winning position to losing."