OWAIS SHAH'S impressive 82 and some effective and disciplined bowling helped England beat Sri Lanka by 65 runs to level the one-day series 1-1.
England struggled to 142-6 on a slow Dambulla wicket, despite Durham wicketkeeper-opener Phil Mustard compiling a patient 28.
But Shah worked the ball around efficiently as the tourists eventually posted a respectable 234-8.
Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad then took two wickets each to reduce Sri Lanka to 38-4, before captain Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan put on 52.
Graeme Swann and Paul Collingwood claimed two wickets apiece to rip the heart out of the Sri Lankan middle order, and the hosts were eventually dismissed for 169.
The victory was only England's second one-day success in Sri Lanka, and leaves the series delicately balanced with three more games to play.
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