England’s winning run at Shrewsbury Town’s Greenhous Meadow came to an end last night after the nation’s under 20s squad suffered a 2-1 reverse to their French counterparts.

The young Lions had taken the lead on 12 minutes when Marvin Sordell slotted home on his debut but goals from Clement Grenier and Alexander Lacazette either side of half time meant it was the reigning European under 19 Champions who took the honours.

The defeat brought to an end a five-year success sequence for England teams at the Meadow in front of 5,581.

And under 20 manager Brian Eastwick was left beamoning the withdrawls of several players – including Newcastle’s Nile Ranger and Arsenal’s Sanchez Watt.

He said: “I think we have to put it into perspective the squad we had available and the type of opposition we were playing.

“I didn’t think we did enough to win the game but we could have sneaked a draw.

“We couldn’t take any of the under 19s so because we prioritised that game and then one or two of your better players will go and play for the under 21s so it is difficult.”

England started much the brighter with the outstanding Matt Phillips of Blackpool causing problems on the flank.

He had the game’s first sight of goal when he spent a rasping drive over on seven minutes before setting up Sordell’s opener with a fine solo run down the right.

Phillips came close again in the opening quarter before France showed their pedigree with a fine equalising goal.

Lyon’s Grenier played a neat one-two with Antoine Griezmann before rifling home a right foot shot from 20 yards to make things all square heading into the interval.

The game, which was the first warm-up match ahead of the under-20 World Cup in Colombia later this year, failed to ignite in the second period with France marginally the better side. And so it proved when Lacazette lashed home the winner, via a deflection off Coventry’s Nathan Cameron.

By ALEX JAMES