England were left to depend on Sweden resurrecting their Euro 2000 qualifying hopes for them after a scoreless draw in Warsaw. While earlier pitiful displays against Sweden and Bulgaria may eventually cost English football up to £75 million in lost revenue if they fail to qualify, Kevin Keegan's side just about did enough in Warsaw to merit the win they needed to reach the play-offs.
What they could not count upon though was referee Gunter Benko refusing to allow two penalty claims, one which appeared to be probable and the other which was definite. David Batty was also sent off with six minutes left.
Now, unless Sweden beat Poland on October 9th, the supposed England Messiah may turn out to be yet another false prophet. Poland need just a point in their final qualifying game next month to go through to the playoffs at England's expense - and the Swedes, already qualified, have nothing left to play for.
If the result was not bad enough, there was also the sight of England fans - watched by FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who holds such sway in deciding the 2006 World Cup venue - responding to flares being thrown at them by ripping up seats and throwing them back.
The surroundings for Keegan's biggest test yet were hardly auspicious, a tiny 9,000-capacity ground known as the Polish national side's `lucky' stadium, which had been boosted with 6,000 temporary seats and was surrounded by a 20ft high fence.
The atmosphere was intimidatingly electric, with klaxon horns, flares and raucous chants, and the passion of the fans was replicated by the Polish side, who clearly came out to seize the early initiative.
Wing-back Tomasz Hajto twice fired over the bar, a dangerous cross flashed across the box and England were having trouble getting possession of the ball, let alone making it into the opposition half. Their problems increased when Gary Neville was stretchered off after just 12 minutes having apparently injured his groin and he was replaced by younger brother Phil.
The Manchester United defender was immediately plunged into a rearguard action, with Adams bellowing instructions to his team-mates and Batty running his heart out in front of the back four.
Although the England defence strained under the pressure, they did not actually crack and after surviving the frenetic opening 25 minutes, Keegan's side finally started to come into the match.
England then proceeded to create the clearest openings of the first-half. Neville managed to find some space down the right wing and crossed for Robbie Fowler, who flicked his header wide of the target, while Steve McManaman miskicked in front of goal and Alan Shearer was crowded out as he tried to capitalise.
Fowler threatened again but got the ball stuck under his feet and then England had their first strong claim for a penalty when Tomasz Klos appeared to bring down Shearer only for the referee to award just a corner.
Adams and Keown both had to make saving tackles shortly after the break as the trouble began to break out in the crowd, and smoke started to shroud parts of the pitch before the strong police presence intervened.
But after a glimpse of a chance had passed Fowler by and McManaman had been tackled as he was poised to shoot, the referee failed to spot a blatant foul on Scholes in the penalty area.
Keegan introduced Michael Owen with 25 minutes left to rescue his country but he mis-hit his first half-chance well over the bar. Kieron Dyer was also thrown into the fray, replacing McManaman, but however hard England pressed, they could not make the breakthrough.
Then Batty became the third England player to be shown the red card during the qualifying campaign - ruling him out of the play-offs even if his side should make it there - when he kicked out at Radoslaw Michalski.
A despondent Keegan said: "It was frustrating. I know how everyone feels. I was a fan of England before I took the job. I am disappointed. We have to rely on Sweden to do us a favour but Sweden are a good side and they will do their job properly. We have a lot of Swedish players in England.
Poland: Matysek, Klos (Bak 90), Waldoch, Siadaczka, Zielinski, Hajto, Michalski, Iwan, Trzeciak (Swierczewski 59), Krzwzstof, Gilewicz (Juskowiak 64). Subs Not Used: Dudek, Rzasa, Brzeczek, Majak. Booked: Matysek, Hajto, Siadaczka, Iwan.
England: Martyn, G. Neville (P. Neville 14), Pearce, Batty, Adams, Keown, Beckham, Scholes, Shearer, Fowler (Owen 66), McManaman (Dyer 80). Subs Not Used: Walker, Southgate, Parlour, Sheringham. Sent Off: Batty (84). Booked: Keown. Att: 17,000.
Referee: G Benko (Austria).
