England maintained their unbeaten under-21 record this season, eventually showing class and quality to overcome a determined young Wales side.

In the first period Wales had attacked England constantly in this friendly at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground and could count themselves unfortunate to be two behind at the break to a Tom Huddlestone penalty and a deflected Theo Walcott drive.

Wales, with Tottenham teenager Chris Gunter outstanding at the back, had asked plenty of questions and but for the skills of defender Michael Mancienne it could have been a different story.

But after the break England comfortably completed 10 unbeaten games this season under Stuart Pearce with their Premier League class and technique shining through.

The last time Wales boss Brian Flynn faced England at this level they were outclassed 4-0 three years ago. This was much better, but still not good enough.

Two sides on the brink of qualification for the UEFA Championship play-offs had plenty to prove in front of their national bosses.

John Toshack and Fabio Capello were interested observers from the directors' box.

Wales fielded as strong a side as they could muster at this level, with six players who are regulars in the senior squad against an England side made up totally of Premier League players, including five of Capello's full squad named for the games against the United States and Trinidad and Tobago.

And although England looked more composed on the ball and passed it better, Wales will wonder how they were two behind at the break.

They started with confidence and vigour and Ched Evans tested his Manchester City club-mate Joe Hart in the first minute. Then Hart was fortunate not to concede a goal six minutes later.

Evans' cross was met by Sam Vokes, whose first shot was blocked by Hart, with the ball rebounding back to the Bournemouth striker who saw his next effort cannon inches wide.

But England punished Wales for some poor defending in the 19th minute. Adam Johnson was allowed to move in from the left, and across the face of the box with limited opposition until he was tripped by Neil Eardley. Huddlestone drilled home the spot-kick.

Wales kept coming forward and David Edwards set up David Cotterill for a stabbed shot just over the angle.

The next time England attacked, they scored again after 26 minutes. There was similarities with the first, with Theo Walcott cutting in from the left and surging across the face of the box before turning to see a shot take a wicked deflection to leave Wayne Hennessey stranded.

Still Wales were moving forward. Andrew Taylor sliced a Shaun MacDonald cross onto his own bar, with Hart beaten. Vokes saw a header and shot go wide, Lewin Nyatanga headed over and Swansea's MacDonald drove wide.

Wales had been treated to an exhibition of clinical finishing after having the majority of possession.

England sent on Peterborough's young goalkeeper Joe Lewis for his debut at the break, with Scott Dann replacing David Wheater.

Instantly England's pressure was sustained and controlled, keen to deflate Wales before they could get up another head of steam.

And their possession and movement was achieving that aim. England sent on Jamie O'Hara, Dexter Blackstock and Fabrice Muamba for Taylor, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Grant Leadbitter and the screw tightened.

After 63 minutes Wales replaced Eardley and Vokes with Christian Ribeiro and Simon Church, but any comeback was looking increasingly unlikely.

Wales had been far more subdued in the second period, barely a chance created. Nicky Adams and Craig Davies replaced Evans and Cotterill but England were comfortably in control by now.

Teams:

Wales U21 Hennessey, Eardley (Ribeiro 62), Jacobson, Collison, Gunter, Nyatanga, Cotterill (Adams 77), David Edwards, Vokes (Church 63), Evans (Davies 77), MacDonald.

Subs Not Used: Basey, Mike Williams, Bradley, fon Williams,

Mark Williams.

England U21 Hart (Lewis 46), Cranie, Taylor (O'Hara 57), Cattermole, Mancienne, Wheater (Dann 46), Walcott, Huddlestone, Agbonlahor (Blackstock 57), Leadbitter (Muamba 73), Adam Johnson (Shawcross 86).

Goals: Huddlestone 19 pen, Walcott 25.

Att: 6,831

Ref: Alan Black (Northern Ireland).