Jack Rodwell was part of the England Under-21 side that beat Macedonia 2-1 on Friday afternoon.

The young Lions went behind to a shock Agun Ibraimi strike in the first half but improved in the second period to secure three European Championship qualifying points, courtesy of a Rodwell-assisted Freddie Sears strike and a Lee Cattermole penalty.

Rodwell teed up Cattermole early on for a tame shot, then the 18-year-old's decoy run allowed Daniel Sturridge clean through on goal but the Chelsea man was denied by the Macedonia goalkeeper.

And then Macedonia took the lead against the run of play when Ibraimi scored a screamer from long range in the 34th minute.

England keeper Scott Loach denied the goalscorer a second when he was one-on-one on the hour mark and it proved key as Rodwell set up substitute Sears for the leveller.

Junior Stanislas' deep corner was headed towards goal by Danny Rose and the Everton man's deft touch put it on a plate for the on-loan West Ham striker to equalise in the 68th minute.

Then Sears won the penalty from which skipper Cattermole scored the winner eight minutes from time.

England head to Greece for another qualifier on Tuesday.

Also on Friday, defender Shane Duffy had a penalty saved before Northern Ireland Under-21s went down 2-0 in the Czech Republic.