THE gallant Socceroos were undone by Manchester United’s double strike act Marcus Rashford and Wayne Rooney to lose in Friday’s entertaining friendly.

A late own goal from England substitute Eric Dier gave Australia a glimour of hope but England’s quality and experience enabled it to hold off and win 2-1.

Despite the loss it was a quality performance from the undermanned Socceroos who bossed the midfield.

The Socceroos looked superb an in some patches completely outplayed England, with Celtic attacker Tom Rogic’s trickery causing havoc and Europe-bound Aaron Mooy superb while Mark Milligan oozed class in defence.

But conceding a third minute goal hurt while they lacked killer instinct up front.

Brisbane Roar striker Jamie Maclaren and Germany-based defender Milos Degenek were handed debuts in front of 46,595 at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.

The Socceroos wanted to pressure England from kick-off and they almost forced keeper Fraser Forster into a costly gaffe, as Maclaren smothered his clearance, but the ball fell fortuitously for England.

Just as it did 30 seconds later Raheem Sterling’s cross was deflected and it fell perfectly for Rashford to volley home with his right, though the Socceroos defenders left him too much space in the box.

It continued Rashford’s knack of scoring on debut after he netted for Man United in his first European and Premier League start, as England played an experimental side a fortnight out from Euro 2016.

It didn’t deter the Socceroos as they not only composed themselves and dominated large patches of the first half.

Both teams adopted the 4-4-2 and it was Australia’s quartet, headlined by the dangerous Rogic and the composed Mooy who along with Massimo Luongo and Mile Jedinak, who anchored superbly, assumed control over Danny Drinkwater, Jordan Henderson, Jack Wilshere and Adam Lallana.

Robbie Kruse’s movement in attack was causing England’s defence problems and he a volley blocked moments after Rashford’s opener.

Australia’s defence was still tested but the decision to deploy Milligan to stopper paid off as his reading of the game and speed help nullify potential England forays.

When Milligan and defensive partner Bailey Wright, who was solid, were beaten then Brad Smith was on hand to thwart the pacy Rashford.

While the Socceroos controlled midfield it didn’t translate to clear cut chances as Mat Ryan was the busier of the keepers, saving from Lallana before coming off his line to block Rashford.

However England’s last line was regularly scrambling, with a desperate Chris Smalling heading away a dangerous Josh Risdon cross with debutant Maclaren lurking.

England introduced Rooney and James Milner at half-time and switched to a 4-3-3 and it ruthlessly exposed Australia on the counter within 10 minutes of the restart.

Australia left Sterling completely free on the left and Wright left Rooney to close, but Sterling’s pass was inch perfect and the veteran’s first touch was matched by an equally exquisite finish as his rising strike smashed the roof of the net.

Ange Postecoglou made a double sub, sending on Chris Ikonomidis and Matt McKay for Maclaren and Luongo, with Rooney and Kruse having chances at either end.

But it was Australia’s second double sub that paid off, as Tomi Juric and Degenek were sent on in the 73rd minute.

Within 90 seconds Degenek, playing at right-back, sent in a cross that caught Spurs’ Dier, who also just came on, in two minds as he headed into his own net.

The Socceroos pushed for an equaliser but the frequency of the subs, with Craig Goodwin and Jackson Irvine also coming on, killed some momentum.

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