ENGLAND players insist the flares thrown in the direction of goalkeepers Robert Green and David James by Ukrainian fans were not responsible for their first competitive defeat under Fabio Capello.

Green’s area was littered with a dozen coloured flares after only a minute of the World Cup qualifier in Dnipropetrovsk and prompted the game to be delayed.

And, after Green had been sent off after 13 minutes, James suffered similar treatment when he took over.

A deflected first-half shot from Sergii Nazarenko ensured victory for Ukraine and put them on the verge of qualifying for the play-offs.

Although the Football Association intend to make an official complaint to FIFA, Capello’s squad were quick to insist the flares did not affect their performance.

James said: ‘‘They were big flares, granted, but you could argue that someone throwing a paper aeroplane on the pitch might take someone’s eye out.

‘‘It didn’t detract from our performance.’’ Midfielder James Milner said: ‘‘It seems to happen when you come to these places and you’ve just got to get on with it. It is part and parcel of it.

‘‘Did it affect the performance?

I don’t think so. The squad is full of top-class players who’ve experienced atmospheres a lot like this before.

‘‘It made no difference to anyone. Maybe it was dangerous to the keepers, but I’m sure they’ve seen it all before.’’