England Women 1-0 Scotland Women

A goal by Everton midfielder Fara Williams gave England their 19th victory in 20 meetings with Scotland.

But a team showing nine changes from Thursday night's 6-0 win against Russia struggled at times against a battling Scottish side.

The fluency shown against the Russians was never in evidence in a largely disjointed display.

And in the second half, Scotland twice went close to cancelling out William's 30th-minute goal.

With Williams to the fore, however, England bossed the first half.

The Everton player had a sixth-minute header cleared off the line by Hibernian midfielder Kirsty McBride.

She then went close again when her 16th-minute header flew inches over the bar.

But she was bang on target on the half-hour, directing a 40-yard lob over back-peddling goalkeeper Gemma Fay and into the roof of the net.

Soccer Locker midfielder Ifeoma Dieke wasted a close-range equalising chance three minutes later.

But at the other end, either side of half-time, wingers Alex Scott and Sue Smith sent shots just wide of the post.

The Scots began to take control midway through the second half, however.

And England had a narrow escape when Arsenal striker Julie Fleeting's 68th-minute free-kick was pushed on to the bar by substitute goalkeeper Carly Telford.

Telford pulled of an even better save five minutes later, diving to turn McBride's 15-yard drive past the far post.

But the visitors' challenge faded in the closing stages and Sunderland right-back Steph Houghton almost stretched England's lead with an 83rd-minute volley over the bar.