England still have plenty of work ahead of them to be serious contenders to win the UEFA European Under-21 Championships after they were outclassed by France at the City Ground.

England had forgotten what defeat felt like until their long unbeaten record ended against a vastly experienced Ecuador side in Malaga last month.

But it is becoming an unwelcome familiar feeling after first-half goals from Gabriel Obertan and Moussa Sissoko made it two defeats in three friendly internationals either side of Friday's victory in Norway.

Stuart Pearce's side, hampered by injuries and withdrawals, never hit their stride against a team that will not even be in Sweden this summer.

France looked accomplished from the off and Liverpool's David N'Gog caused England untold problems before he was substituted after an hour.

England created the first chance after four minutes as Michael Mancienne's deft touch controlled James Milner's corner.

He then calmly laid the ball into Adam Johnson's path and his shot on the half-volley narrowly cleared the crossbar.

Joe Hart had to be quick off his line to beat N'Gog to a through ball before the Liverpool striker then flashed a shot wide after 10 minutes.

Immediately after, N'Gog got his first clear sight of goal when he was afforded space just inside the area but Hart was again quick to narrow the angle and blocked the shot.

The Manchester City goalkeeper was being kept busy and had to push a shot from Obertan behind before again thwarting N'Gog in the 15th minute.

N'Gog found space behind England's defence and attempted to lob Hart but the ball brushed Hart's fingertips and was deflected behind for a corner.

France took a deserved lead midway through the first half when the ball broke kindly to Obertan on the edge of the area and the FC Lorient midfielder struck a first-time shot into the bottom corner.

Matt Derbyshire was inches away from an immediate reply but could not stretch enough to get on the end of Johnson's shot across the face of goal.

Ten minutes before the break France doubled their advantage with a slick breakaway goal.

Sissoko ran clean through and as Hart slipped the Toulouse player delicately lifted the ball over him and into the net.

Only a last-ditch tackle by Nedum Onuoha on N'Gog prevented things from getting worse for England after 38 minutes.

England made a substitution at the start of the second half with Bolton's Fabrice Muamba replacing David Wheater.

But the defensive switch did little to improve their fortunes as France continued to carve them open at will.

After 53 minutes Garry Bocaly broke down the right and his low cross was met by N'Gog, but Hart again won their personal battle and saved with his feet.

The rebound struck Onuoha and the ball rolled narrowly past the post.

Traore broke clear three minutes later and looked like he would score after taking the ball round Hart, but the angle was too tight for the Portsmouth player to shoot.

He opted to cross the ball instead but none of his team-mates had read his intention and England escaped.

At the other end, England came close with a rare attack when Tom Huddlestone glanced a header wide from Johnson's free-kick.

N'Gog again raced through on goal just before the hour mark but curled his shot over after cutting inside from the left.

England began to get some joy in France's final third in the last 15 minutes, but it was too little, too late.

Johnson's low cross evaded Huddlestone and substitute Fraizer Campbell before reaching Martin Cranie at the far post, but his driven shot was blocked.

Johnson then saw a 25-yard free-kick tipped round the post by Johan Carrasso after 78 minutes.

Teams:

England U21 Hart, Cranie (Rodwell 85), Onuoha,Wheater (Muamba 46), Taylor (O'Hara 86), Mancienne,Milner (Welbeck 71), Huddlestone, Noble (Gardner 71), Johnson,Derbyshire (Campbell 60).

Subs Not Used: Loach, Cattermole.

France U21 Carrasso, Bocaly, M'Bengue, Baysse, Dervite,Capoue, Obertan (Ekoko 61), Sissoko, Ngog (Nimani-Ngalou 60),Sankhare (Martin 90), Traore (Mollo 79).

Subs Not Used: Kana Biyik, Gassama, Placide.

Goals: Obertan 26, Sissoko 35.

Att: 23,632