England rose above the bitterness and acrimony of the second Test to secure a tense victory in Sri Lanka after a rash of controversial decisions threatened to turn the match into a farce.

While the conduct of the players and the competency of the umpiring is put under the spotlight after a second successive Test marred by controversy, the tourists went about their task in a thoroughly professional manner to complete a three wickets victory over Sri Lanka just 20 minutes after lunch on the final day.

Needing a further 70 runs for victory when they resumed on 91 for four, all rounder Craig White hit Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya through extra cover off the 40th over of the day to bring England level in the series and set up a decider in Colombo on Thursday.

It was the 13th time England have won a Test by three wickets or less and, more importantly, was the fourth time since Nasser Hussain took over as captain that they have won close finishes following victories over South Africa in Centurion, West Indies at Lord's last summer and the memorable triumph over Pakistan in Karachi last December.

''It was a very good Test match for nerves and excitement and all the things that Test match cricket is supposed to produce and therefore when you win one of these games it gives you great enjoyment and relief,'' enthused Hussain.

''We've had a taste of success and done it before at Karachi and Lord's and we had good men batting down the order - in past days if we'd have gone six or seven down we'd have been blown away but we have a good coach who makes sure we practice all forms of the game.''

That was needed like never before with England losing Alec Stewart and Graeme Hick, their last two recognised batsman, inside the first 15 overs of the day with a further 39 runs still needed for victory.

But the fortitude and determination that Hussain and coach Duncan Fletcher have introduced to the side has given several players an extra dimension to their game and after Robert Croft battled bravely for nearly two hours, White and Ashley Giles completed the victory.

Knowing Sri Lanka had failed by seven runs to chase a target of 175 on this very ground last year against South Africa, England were aware they would have to buck the trend at the Asgiriya Stadium to remain in the series.

They started badly, however, by losing Stewart in the sixth over of the morning when Chaminda Vaas trapped him leg before with umpire BC Cooray adding to his list of questionable decisions with the ball marginally pitching outside leg-stump before hitting Stewart in line with his stumps.

With the stakes so high, England quickly shrugged off that setback although new batsman Hick was fortunate to escape two overs later when he got an inside edge as he attempted to cut Vaas only for wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara to drop the catch after changing direction.

Playing probably his most important innings for England since scoring 40 to help win in Karachi, Hick was unable to make the most of his escape although he hit two confident cover drives to move quickly onto 16.

The introduction of captain Sanath Jayasuriya's left-arm spin into the attack ended Hick's brief innings when he attempted to get inside the line to drive through the covers, but the ball span away onto his stumps.

Still needing 39 for victory, England could not afford another dismissal and nightwatchman Croft successfully teamed up with White to add a vital 20 runs which took their side to within four overs of lunch. Croft had batted for nearly two hours for his gutsy 17 until the introduction of Kumar Dharmasena ended his defiance, striking with his fourth ball to trap the Welshman leg before with a ball which carried straight on.

Needing only nine to complete the win once they resumed from the interval, there was still time for one last drama with only three needed for victory as England attempted a quick single off Jayasuriya.

White cut to Muralitharan at cover and set off for the run, but Giles was always struggling to make his ground only to be given a reprieve with a poor throw forcing Sangakkara to bend over the stumps to collect and broke the bails with his body before the ball arrived.

Two overs later, White completed the victory by rocking onto the back foot and driving Jayasuriya and ensuring the tourists remained on course for a fourth successive series triumph.

''My ambition has always been to hit the winning runs to help England win a Test match,'' admitted White, who battled for 85 minutes to finish unbeaten on 21.

''I've often had a dream that I'd be 60 not out and score the winning runs and I know I didn't get that many, but this is right up there with the best moments of my career.''

It also prevented an agitated Darren Gough, who won the man-of-the-match award after claiming eight for 123 in the Test and also helping Croft add a crucial 41 runs for the last wicket in the first innings, from a late walk-on part.

''Normally I'm quite relaxed before going out to bat and I don't get nervous, but today I was as nervous as I've ever been in a match,'' he added.