The England Pups World Cup preparations were nearly thrown into more disarray yesterday as they narrowly averted an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Nippers. With both teams fielding near full-strength sides, the friendly match was expected to be a useful warm-up exercise for both World Cup hopefuls. But for the Pups it was a demoralising affair as only a spate of late goals saved their red faces against a team playing only their second match together, and Supremo Groom must be wondering whether his side really have what it takes to win the ultimate prize in Logica International football. The Lags, meanwhile, will be laughing into their stout tonight.

Captain Gautam was obviously hoping to use the game to fine tune a few tactics, but was in for a rude shock when the Nippers burst into a 2-0 lead. A good break down the right found Jez Brown inexplicably palming away a dangerous cross, and the penalty was duly dispatched. A second Brown error allowed Nipper captain Nich Fazel to break clear and finish with aplomb.

The Pups pulled a goal back before the interval through a hotly disputed penalty, with the Nippers arguing that the header was at such point blank range that the hand-ball could not be avoided. They had a fair point, but Craig Taylor clinically buried the spot-kick after pinching the ball off Banoub.

The Pups continued to enjoy the majority of the possession in the second half, and their pressure told as they equalised through an own goal from a corner. But if they thought they had restored their ascendancy they were in for another surprise. First Fazel pounced on a defensive mix-up to restore the Nippers lead at 3-2, and then added a fourth when he converted Damian Sutton's low cross to notch an impressive hat-trick.

As the ninety minutes approached the Pups became more desperate, but finally a brave Nipper rearguard was breached when Sandric Loriot played a lethal one-two for Taylor to sidefoot home. To add insult to injury, Taylor then scored an equaliser from close-range to complete his own hat-trick, whilst strike partner Nigel Hoyland glanced a header wide of the Nippers keeper to give the Pups an undeserved 5-4 victory.

At the final whistle, there were no teams waiting to use the pitch, so both Pups and Nippers agreed to play on. The Pups exploited a tiring Nippers side and added a host of further goals through Taylor, Hoyland (2) and Banoub. Loriot also hit the woodwork on a couple of occasions. If Groom and Gautam are honest with themselves, however, they will not use this late goal glut to paper over the cracks. In contrast, Nipper Skipper Nich Fazel will feel boosted by his team's performance, and with no weight of expectation on his shoulders, may be quietly confident that the Nippers can pull off a surprise or two in Amsterdam.