England Under-21s came under sustained pressure but escaped with a goalless draw against their Dutch counterparts.

In a game with plenty of chances for both sides it was the goalkeepers who came out smiling at the end as a combination of some fine saves and a handful of bad misses kept the sheets clean at both ends.

There was a 30-minute run out for hotly-tipped Jack Wilshere - mentioned as a possible senior call-up for the World Cup - but the Arsenal teenager struggled to make an impact.

The introduction of Wilshere was one of eight changes that manager Stuart Pearce made through the course of the game as he looks to replace a number of stars who graduated from the team following the European Championships.

England were restricted to long-range efforts in the first half, but neither Jack Rodwell nor Michael Mancienne could do much to worry Newcastle's Tim Krul in the Dutch goal.

Micah Richards had the best chances of the first half for England but he headed over and then his low shot was held by Krul.

The Dutch, meanwhile, were creating plenty of chances, with another Arsenal youngster, Nacer Barazite, at the centre of most things they did.

However, Watford's Scott Loach stood firm in the England goal before being replaced by Blackburn youngster Frank Flding, on loan at Rochdale, at half-time.

The game became disrupted as the substitutes piled on early in the second half, but once the changes were made, Barazite resumed to terrorising the England defence, forcing Fielding into a good parried save in the 69th minute.

And it was Fielding who England could thank for a draw as he pulled off an outstanding save to deny Vurnon Anita with two minutes left in the match.