David Nugent and Lita put Stuart Pearce's men in complete control midway through the first half but pre-tournament favourites the Azzurrini hit back to avoid an early exit.

A victory against Serbia in their final group game will guarantee England's progress and Lita said on Sky Sports 1: "It's disappointing not to win the game.

"We gave ourselves a great start, we had a lot of chances.

"We dropped too deep and allowed them back into the game.

"But we're still in the tournament and we've got to go into the last game being positive."

Lita missed two sitters - to add to his penalty woe in the opening game - before making partial amends with England's second goal tonight.

He added: "Tonight, I wanted to make sure I got on the scoresheet. I'm not one of those players who's going to hide.

Nugent added: "We seemed to back off a little bit any they got back in the game.

"They're a quality side."

Sunderland manager Roy Keane was watching tonight's game and asked about speculation linking him with a move to the Barclays Premier League new boys, Nugent said: "It's all speculation. He could be coming to watch anybody.

"I've not been in contact. I've been linked with a few clubs. Obviously, I've got to keep on playing well in the tournament and see what happens afterwards."

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England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce was pleased his side's destiny remains in their own hands after the draw.

"We know our fate now," he said on Sky Sports 1. "If they can show that determination I think we will win (against Serbia), but it will be a tough game again.

"The effort and endeavour from both teams - I thought it was a great spectacle and a credit to the tournament.

"I thought we showed signs of tiredness, but the determination of all of them, they don't want to be beaten.

"We still haven't been beaten and we have to try to win the game and go through to the semi-final. But the ball's in our court."

He added: "I thought it would be a cricket score in the first 20 minutes, we were outstanding.

"For much of the game we had to dig in. Their mentality was that they had to win, and it was ours too."

Pearce hailed the performance of Aston Villa forward Ashley Young, who was again one of the game's most influential figures but who will miss the Serbia game after receiving a second booking of the tournament in the dying moments.

"It will be a massive blow," Pearce admitted. "He has excited me. He is doing himself no harm in my opinion."