ROY Hodgson last night denied that his England players had under-performed as they dropped two World Cup qualifying points in a 1-1 home draw with Ukraine.

Frank Lampard's 87th-minute penalty salvaged a point after Ievgenii Konoplianka's first-half thunderbolt had threatened to inflict England's first home World Cup qualifying defeat at the new Wembley.

The hosts spurned a succession of chances, but were defensively suspect throughout and were greeted with a smattering of boos at the final whistle.

Hodgson feels any criticism is unjustified, and claims to have been satisfied with an evening that leaves England trailing Montenegro on goal difference at the top of Group H.

“I suppose you are always relieved when you are losing 1-0 and get a late equaliser, but I am not prepared to concede that it was not a great performance,” said the England boss. “I didn't think we did that badly.

“We kept at our task. I thought we started poorly, but once we got into our stride, I thought we did well. We went 1-0 down to a wonder strike against a good Ukraine team and were always going to be up against it.

“But I was pleased that we kept probing and creating chances and thought we fully deserved our equaliser. I'm very pleased with the way the players went about their task.”

Hodgson was especially satisfied with his three young substitutes, who helped haul England back into the game in the final ten minutes.

Danny Welbeck's initiative secured the all-important penalty, while Daniel Sturridge and Ryan Bertrand helped create a threat down the left-hand side.

Their effectiveness was in marked contrast to the earlier struggles of fellow youngsters Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who barely threatened, and Tom Cleverley, who missed two excellent chances in the first half.

“I thought the three youngsters who came on towards the end acquitted themselves well,” said Hodgson. “It's good that we see we are not totally reliant on the so-called older guard. We have good players that can step up to the plate.

“It was always going to be tough for Cleverley and Oxlade-Chamberlain after their excellent Friday performances (in Moldova). Tom missed a couple of good chances, but I thought those two acquitted themselves fine.

“But it was good to have fresh legs to bring on. Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge did well at a time when we were pushing and asking questions of the Ukraine defence.”

The evening ended on a sour note with the 88th-minute dismissal of Steven Gerrard. The England skipper had already been booked for leading with his elbow when he upended Denys Garmash close to the centre circle.

The effect of his dismissal will be minimal, as he will only miss next month's home qualifier with San Marino, and Hodgson was quick to defend his captain.

“I thought all the yellow cards were very harsh,” he said. “I didn't think it was a night when there was a lot of bad fouls or many fouls full stop. I thought there were far too many yellow cards and I think Steven was extremely unlucky to get sent off because I don't think the two fouls were worthy of that sanction.”