England now need Russia to slip up against either Israel or Andorra in their final two Group E matches if they are to have any realistic hope of taking part in next summer's finals in Austria and Switzerland.

Wayne Rooney gave Steve McClaren's side an early lead before two goals in four minutes midway through the second half from Roman Pavlyuchenko turned the game on its head.

Gerrard was also left to rue missing his own golden chance to double England's advantage in the opening minutes of the second period.

The stand-in skipper said: "We were in control of the game, the game plan was working perfectly, we've gone 1-0 up and I've had a fantastic chance to make it 2-0 myself.

"Then we had a mad five to 10 minutes when the game has changed. The penalty for their first goal looked outside the box and has turned the whole game.

"It gave them a lot of confidence, put them on the front foot and they put us under a lot of pressure and managed to get a second.

"Even when they got the penalty, we should still have been strong and more together to see the game out."

England play group leaders Croatia in their final match and Gerrard insisted: "It is important that we don't give up. We are waiting on other people to do us favours.

"But as players we've got to stick together, focus and believe to the end.

"I can't believe it is out of our hands because we have worked so hard over the last five or six games to put ourselves in the driving seat and make ourselves favourites to go through, especially after going 1-0 up tonight.

"You start believing you are nearly there, that you have got one foot there but football is a cruel game and chances and decisions and mistakes turn football matches and that is what has happened tonight.

"For England not to make the finals will be unthinkable. But as players and staff we've got to take responsibility for that."

Gerrard admitted he should have done better with his gilt-edged chance from a Gareth Barry free-kick, which could have killed off the game.

He said: "It was one of those when I didn't expect to have so much time and I'm waiting for an eternity for the ball to come down.

"I tried to get the best contact on it possible but it wasn't to be and I'm disappointed with the chance."