Frank Lampard cancelled out Shane Long's opener as England were held to an international friendly draw by the Republic of Ireland.

The goals came inside a 10-minute spell during the first half in a fairly entertaining game at Wembley which had few clear-cut opportunities.

England looked lively in the early stages but Ireland came back into it and took the lead out of nothing in the 14th minute. Seamus Coleman put in a lovely cross from the right and Long got up to plant great header beyond the reach of the diving Joe Hart.

England tried to get back into the contest quickly but struggled to break down a well organised and resolute Ireland side.

However they did level on 23 minutes when Daniel Sturridge's ball into the box was not dealt with by Sean St Ledger and Lampard got in ahead of Glenn Whelan to fires past David Forde for his sixth goal in as many games for the Three Lions.

Both sides continued to get forward but neither goalkeeper was really tested before the interval.

Ashley Cole almost grabbed his first international goal for the Three Lions in his 102nd appearance on 48 minutes but Coleman beat him to a low Theo Walcott ball in from the right and put it over his own bar.

On 65 minutes England launched a quick counter-attack and Jermain Defoe played in Walcott down the right and his effort was parried out for a corner by Forde.

England's sub keeper Ben Foster almost gifted Ireland a goal on 79 minutes when he failed to hold a high ball into the box under pressure from Jon Walters but Simon Cox was flagged offside in the scramble which ensued.

Forde then denied England on two occasions in the final 10 minutes as he came off his line to block Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's effort after he was played in by Rooney, before Walcott was denied by the feet of the Irish custodian.