Hope Seals Top Spot For England

Striker nets late as Under-19s edge closer to Euro 2013.

Hallam Hope grabbed an injury-time equaliser against Ukraine to put England Under-19s one step closer to European Championship qualification on Monday afternoon.

The Everton man was on hand to net in the 94th-minute to snatch a point as the two sides battled it out to top the four-team group in Estonia.

Latching onto Blair Turgott's free-kick, the forward cancelled out Vladyslav Pavlenko's 88th-minute strike and sealed a 1-1 draw.

The result allowed England to finish above their opponents on goal difference, securing involvement in the Elite Qualification Round next spring.

Hope was joined in the starting line-up by Blues midfielder John Lundstram, skipper for the Young Lions' throughout the campaign.

In the two previous First Qualifying Round fixtures, England recorded a 3-0 victory over Estonia and a 6-0 rout against Faroe Islands.

Hope came off the bench to net against the latter and proved to be equally as alert against the Ukraine.

The UEFA European Under-19 Championship Finals will commence on 20 July 2013 in Lithuania.