just as England were displaying jitters in Albania as the home side pressed for a late equaliser, Andy Cole came up with his first international goal.

Michael Owen had changed the course of the game with yet another strike when it mattered most and Paul Scholes had put England further ahead.

However, Albania first pulled a goal back and then had another effort ruled out for offside before Cole ended all of the sceptical criticism surrounding him by sidefooting the ball home from a couple of yards out in injury time.

It was his 13th appearance for his country and, given his workrate, no-one could begrudge him his moment of glory as he celebrated along with the six other Manchester United players on display by that time.

For much of the game, England had been one-dimensional in attack and unconvincing at the back. Reality was threatening to bite for Sven-Goran Eriksson.

That it did not was a measure of his side's character in keeping going and while Cole takes the plaudits for breaking his duck, Owen's strike was probably the most crucial.

Albania have already beaten Greece 2-0 and lost only narrowly to Finland and Germany in the qualifying group.

So whatever problems England may have had, a 3-1 away win is all that anyone could ask of them and this was job done, three points taken and qualifying hopes firmly revived, at least for the runners-up spot.

England were given a raucous reception into the 18,500-capacity stadium.

And against such an imposing backdrop and in a game of this magnitude, it was certainly a brave decision to show faith in 20-year-old left-back Ashley Cole by bringing him in for his debut in place of Chris Powell.

Cole has made just 20 first-team starts for Arsenal, with his Premiership debut in the final game of last season, and was told the line-up, along with the rest of the side, only 90 minutes before kick-off.

While that should have averted too many nerves, Cole had a mixed time in the first-half as he made vigorous forward runs but also found his defensive skills tested out and at times found wanting.

Nicky Butt, the other change to the line-up which defeated Finland due to Steven Gerrard's injury, produced a solid display as the central axis of the side.

But England's only real threat during an all too predictable first-half display came from Beckham, with his crosses and set-piece deliveries, while Steve McManaman and Owen were relatively anonymous.

Andy Cole's movement, hold-up play and ability to win free-kicks were certainly good, as they normally are, but the question-marks over his finishing remained.

After six minutes, Rio Ferdinand flicked on Beckham's delivery and after time to control the ball, Andy Cole fluffed his shot.

Another Beckham cross flicked off the top of Scholes's head, but Albania were well organised, as composed on the ball as England and gave the visitors some problems.

Striker Alban Bushi went round both Ashley Cole and Ferdinand to reach the byline, while he also fired a long-range effort over the bar.

With Sol Campbell limping off injured on 29 minutes and Wes Brown replacing him, the England side had a very inexperienced back-four.

At least Albania did not test them further, with England again threatening intermittently through Beckham as he saw two free-kicks saved and Brown headed another chance over.

The game was crying out for the penetration that could be offered by Emile Heskey down the left flank and Eriksson duly obliged, taking off the ineffective McManaman.

But England continued to struggle, though a dangerous cross by Gary Neville was headed behind and there was a strong claim for a penalty when Butt appeared to be fouled on 62 minutes.

Albania were counter-attacking with incisive speed and a long-range shot by midfielder Fatmir Vata was worryingly spilled by David Seaman but grabbed at the second attempt.

Neville's cross flashed across Cole's forehead and with Eriksson having little scope for using his final substitution, it was difficult to see where a goal would come from.

That was before Scholes slipped a pass into the path of Owen as the striker spun away to break the offside trap and place his shot under the keeper.

That changed the entire game and after 72 minutes of a relatively dour game, there were about 20 more of excitement.

With Teddy Sheringham coming on for Owen, Cole laid the ball back from the byline for Scholes to smash into the net off the underside of the bar from close range with five minutes left.

There were more than a few nervous jitters when Albania pulled a goal back in injury-time through substitute Altin Rraklli, just the moment for Cole to strike.

l Glenn Hoddle will be unveiled as Tottenham manager today, according to his agent Dennis Roach.

Former England coach Hoddle has quit as Southampton boss and is expected to sign a five-year contract at White Hart Lane once a compensation figure has been agreed.

Roach said last night: ''Glenn will be unveiled as Tottenham Hotspur manager tomorrow morning.

''I have been speaking with Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe, clearing up points in respect to Glenn's contract and it is going well so far.

''The clubs are talking on an amicable basis and hope to come to a satisfactory conclusion very soon.''

Hoddle could be replaced at The Dell by another former England chief - Kevin Keegan.

The Newcastle United legend is in the frame to make a return to football following his departure from the international scene after England lost to Germany in October at Wembley.