England's World Cup ambitions were ruthlessly exposed by a wonderful Samoan side at the Telstra Dome yesterday.

The Six Nations champions ultimately prevailed through late tries from wing Iain Balshaw and substitute prop Phil Vickery, but those scores could not mask a largely incompetent England display.

Samoa led 16-13 at half-time and 22-20 midway through the second period, before England's late rally staved off a shock result of seismic proportions.

Jonny Wilkinson fell well below his high standards, even hitting a post with a simple penalty. But he produced a piece of magic 11 minutes from time to give England their first sign of breathing space.

His superbly-executed cross-kick caught out the Samoan defence and Balshaw raced on to catch the ball and sprinting over to put England 28-22 in front.

Wilkinson missed the conversion. But England now went for the kill, and Vickery pounced for his first international try six minutes from time, Wilkinson converting to ensure a bonus point and guarantee a quarter-final place.

But they need to make a monumental improvement to threaten at the tournament's business end.

Australia, New Zealand and France - England's perceived main rivals - would have seen little to frighten them.

Before their late scores England had to rely on pack power bringing them a try for flanker Neil Back, plus a penalty try.

Wilkinson missed two kicks at goal, while opposite number Earl Va'a landed 17 points, including the conversion of captain Semo Sititi's wonderful early try.

Samoa can still make the last eight from Pool C. But they will need to beat South Africa in Brisbane next Saturday, otherwise the Springboks will progress alongside England.

England enjoyed early possession but they were unable to make headway outside their own half, and Samoa had the first scoring chance when Johnson infringed.

Despite a difficult angle, former Newcastle and Richmond player Va'a slotted his penalty opportunity comfortably after three minutes.

Samoa continued to press, and it got worse for England, who could not have made a more demoralising start.

They could not get their hands on the ball and Samoa were hell-bent on spinning possession wide, confirming head coach Clive Woodward's pre-match fears.

With under seven minutes gone, Samoa launched a blistering raid deep into England territory, and after possession had been moved through several pairs of hands, Sititi crossed for an outstanding try.

The shock waves could almost be felt around the stadium, and when Va'a slotted a difficult conversion England found themselves 10-0 adrift after conceding their first try of the competition.

World Cup 2003's last unblemished defensive record had gone. It was an astonishing start by Samoa and posed real questions for England as they looked to establish some momentum.

Not even Wilkinson could make an impression, sending a 13th-minute penalty wide.

It was his first miss in 25 kicks at goal, stretching back to England's summer victory over world champions Australia on the same ground.

England had been smashed out of their stride and needed something quickly to restore confidence against a Samoan side who looked far more composed with ball in hand.

Wilkinson then found touch deep inside Samoa's 22, establishing a first really threatening attacking position - and the result was immediate.

England's forwards rolled on from the resulting line-out and Back touched down to claim a pressure-relieving try.

Wilkinson landed a touchline conversion then booted a 35-metre penalty on 28 minutes to tie the score at 10-10.

English relief was almost tangible; yet Samoa responded in direct fashion, putting pressure on their opponents inside their own 22 and establishing an attacking platform from which they prospered.

England, somewhat predictably, conceded a penalty - and Va'a came up trumps from 20 metres to put Samoa back in front with two further penalties.

Even superman Wilkinson had caught the English disease of panicking under pressure.

But England were forced to content themselves with his second successful penalty, which meant they trailed - against all odds - 16-13 at half-time.

Woodward resisted any temptation to make half-time changes.

Wilkinson launched the second half into action but immediately missed with a drop-goal attempt.

There was greater urgency about England, with wing Ben Cohen making a powerful break, yet they were still haunted by several missed tackles.

Samoa had every confidence to attack England with ball in hand, and Johnson's men required every ounce of their collective experience to keep their opponents out.

England, given their displays over the past 18 months under Woodward, were a shambles. It was nothing like the controlled rugby English fans had come to expect.

Hooker Steve Thompson, prop Vickery and flanker Lewis Moody were the replacements for Mark Regan, Julian White and Joe Worsley with 30 minutes left.

England looked to make the most of a five-metre scrum, and an irresistible drive led to Samoan prop Jeremy Tomuli collapsing it. South African referee Jonathan Kaplan immediately awarded a penalty try, and England went ahead for the first time.

Wilkinson's conversion made it 20-16, but England still had much to do after Va'a landed two more penalties