England 0 Slovakia 0: All-square at half-time as England fail to make the breakthrough in St Etienne

ENGLAND were left frustrated at their failure to make the most of their dominance after a goalless first half against Slovakia.

Roy Hodgson’s men enjoyed all the chances but were unable to make the breakthrough as Wales stole a march in the battle to top Group B by going two-up against Russia.

As expected, Hodgson made six changes from the side that started the 2-1 victory over Wales last time out.

Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane were replaced by goalscoring heroes Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge in attack, while Dele Alli sat out.

Wayne Rooney had been suffering a tight hamstring so was not risked, with Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson the two coming into midfield.

Despite the two full-backs also being changed, England started in a dominant manner and made all the early running.

Vardy went close with an improvised effort with his knee, and in the ninth minute Sturridge was only denied the opening goal by a fine last-gasp challenge from Peter Pekarik.

Adam Lallana and Henderson were next to enjoy opportunities to shoot at goal before Vardy then wasted a great chance to fire England into the lead.

News had just filtered through of Wales going in front when Henderson set the Leicester striker clean through on goal, but he could only shoot straight at Matus Kozacik in the Slovakia goal.

There was a slight injury concern for England on 20 minutes when stand-in captain Gary Cahill received treatment for a back problem, but the Chelsea defender was able to continue.

Slovakia then started to get into the contest in midfield, although England’s defence was rarely troubled.

And it was England who looked the most likely to score as more good work from Henderson had goalkeeper Kozacik flapping to scramble the ball away.

Nathaniel Clyne was impressive in attack down the right, and he created a great chance for Lallana on 32 minutes but luckily for Slovakia his fierce drive was straight at Kozacik.

England continued to pour forward looking for the first goal, but too often they were let down by their final ball at the vital moment.

They had to settle for going into the break all-square in the knowledge Wales were two-up against Russia and sitting in top spot in Group B as it stood.