England's hopes of qualifying for the 2008 European Championships remain in the balance after a 0-0 draw against Israel in Tel Aviv. Steve McClaren's men dominated the majority of the game but failed to take any of the several chances they created in a solid display.
Phil Neville gave away an early free-kick to the left of the England box after fouling Toto Tamuz but Yossi Benayoun's centre was easily claimed by Paul Robinson.
Rio Ferdinand then sold Neville short with a poor pass which was intercepted by Tamuz but after bursting into the box he fired his shot well wide.
England looked edgy and Benayoun showed some nice skill before having his shot blocked by Neville at the expense of a throw-in.
Andrew Johnson did well to earn a free-kick when under pressure from Ben Haim but Frank Lampard's ball into the box was easily dealt with.
The Everton striker then made a good run into the box to accept a cross from Neville but his first touch was poor.
Aaron Lennon had his first run down the left flank but the end product was disappointing as the cross flew harmlessly over the crossbar.
Israel midfielder Ariel Benado became the first player to be yellow carded after 10 minutes when he brought down Lampard on the half-way line.
Then England left-back Jamie Carragher also went into referee Tom Ovrebo's notebook after fouling Pini Balili.
Tamuz was looking threatening for the home nation who were certainly not overawed in a lively opening quarter of an hour.
Dudu Aouate was tested for the first time when he clung on to a header from Wayne Rooney following a good run and cross by Lennon.
But the Manchester United striker was high and wide when he tried to chip Aouate with a first time effort from 25 yards out.
Johnson was putting himself about up front and one cross-field pass found Steven Gerrard whose first-time ball picked out the run of Lampard into the box.
But Yuval Spungin tracked back to put off the Chelsea midfielder as he prepared to shoot and Aouate was able to collect.
Carragher ventured forward to get on the end of a Lampard free-kick but was unable to keep his header down.
Aouate showed his alertness by coming to the edge of the box to gather the ball off the toes of Johnson.
Robinson had to make his first save of note in the 27th minute, going down to his right to smother Tamuz's low drive after he had been found in space by Benayoun.
Tamuz continued to be a threat and he climbed high to meet a cross from Shushan only to direct his header acROss the face of goal.
Rooney showed a flash of temper when he brought down Walid Badir from behind but he avoided a booking.
Lennon showed his pace for a second time, skating past three defenders before he cut back and his cross was half cleared by Shimon Gershon.
Gerrard was first to react to the loose ball and struck his shot well enough but Benayoun was able to get in a block ahead of Aouate who was positioned behind him.
A deep inswinging corner from Lampard picked out Carragher at the far post and Aouate went down to hold onto his header.
England started to enjoy more possession towards half-time but Israel were working hard to deny them much space and often pulled nine players back behind the ball.
England were caught napping when Benayoun's free-kick found Benado unmarked on the right flank but Shushan was off target with his header from the subsequent cross.
McClaren would have wanted his side to make a more positive start to the second period than the first and although Johnson continued to chase down every ball Israel remained resolute.
A low cross from Neville almost found Johnson by the penalty spot but Ben Haim was alert to the danger and got in an important block tackle.
Rooney had seldom been involved during the first half and when he found himself with the chance of a rare run forward his long range drive was blocked by Gershon.
Ferdinand had to be alert to head away a dangerous cross from Shushan at full stretch but it was a quiet start to the second half.
Balili turned sharply on the edge of the England box but his left-footed drive was off target.
Aouate had generally been assured but he flapped at a Lennon cross when under pressure from Rooney and Johnson and was relieved when England were unable to capitalise.
The Israel keeper was competent enough in keeping out a Lampard volley from Gerrard's first-time centre.
In the aftermath of the save, Rooney and Ben Haim were involved in a scuffle in the Israel box which resulted in them both being yellow-carded.
England were now having more of the play but seldom suggested that they could make the crucial breakthrough.
There were worrying signs that Rooney was beginning to lose his cool and the last thing England wanted was to go down to 10 men in what was already a testing match.
Lampard came within inches of breaking the deadlock with a glancing header from Lennon's cross which flew past the far post.
Then Johnson failed to make proper contact on his header from a Gerrard ball into the danger area.
Carragher then hit the top of the crossbar with a header from a Lampard corner.
With 20 minutes left Chelsea teenager Ben Sahr was introduced to the Israel attack in place of Balili.
McClaren brought on Jermain Defoe and Stewart Downing for Johnson and Lennon respectively in a late bid to snatch the three points.
Defoe nearly clinched victory when his close-range shot was blocked by Aouate, while the Tottenham man had a goal disallowed for offside in injury time.
