In fact, quite what Kevin Keegan was able to learn, in addition to the revelations from those more testing Wembley contests against Brazil and Ukraine in the past week, is not easy to discern.

Perhaps the England coach will have noted that his preferred back four can seem hesitant and worryingly vulnerable when put under pressure by play-ers of much less power and prowess than they will encounter later this month in Belgium and Holland.

No doubt Keegan will apply his remedy in the imposing form of Tony Adams in place of Sol Campbell. Certainly, the highly-regarded Tottenham captain is all of a dither at the moment.

Then there is the increasing concern at the infuriating habit of left-back Phil Neville to continually pass the ball directly to opponents.

On the more positive side was the impressive return of Nick Barmby to the international fold.

In his first England start since scoring against Moldova during Glenn Hoddle's opening game in command way back in 1996, Barmby filled the troublesome left-flank position and served notice that his late push into the 22-man squad packs sufficient propulsion to carry him all the way into the starting line-up for Euro 2000.

The Everton forward was responsible for creating England's winning goal in the 75th minute with a superb run down the left and a pull-back which even that wayward finisher Emile Heskey could not miss from a few yards out.

Keegan should not need to be told, however, that an overall performance similar to this when they confront Portugal, Germany and Romania would scarcely necessitate the unpacking of the team skips in Euro 2000.

No doubt the heat contributed to the lethargy yesterday. But the over-whelming suspicion was that these England players failed psychologically to raise their game against what was, after all, merely a willing collection of exuberant and enthusiastic part-timers.

When Arsenal defender Martin Keown claimed his second goal for his country in the 23rd minute, having already had an earlier strike ruled out for offside against Kevin Phillips, it suggested that England might enjoy the anticipated romp after all.

But Ipswich goalkeeper Richard Wright will not forget his England baptism in a hurry.

Given a run-out in preparation for his standing as No 3 behind David Seaman and Nigel Martyn, Wright's first contribution in the 27th minute was to concede a penalty when he charged out to halt the threatening run of David Carabott, missed the ball and in somewhat ungainly fashion shoved over the Malta forward.

Carabott sent Wright the wrong way but was told to take the penalty again because his team-mates had encroached in the area.

On the second occasion his shot cannoned back off the inside of the England post against the arm of the goalkeeper and rebounded back into the net.

England, while not producing any fluency, still squandered several goalscoring opportunities. Phillips, with 30 goals in the Premiership last season, should have celebrated his first for England but shot into the side-netting after rounding goalkeeper Ernest Barry.

Alan Shearer was no more impressive with his finish which was dealt with by Barry after the captain had been sent clear by his strike partner.

Maltese substitute Daniel Theuma seemed intent on making an impact with a venomous challenge on Shearer and after the Newcastle man had been replaced by Heskey five minutes into the second half, Theuma treated the Liverpool striker to more of the same.

Keegan made more changes with Gareth Southgate replacing Keown and Robbie Fowler coming on for Phillips.

Despite the second goal which relieved some of England's anxiety, Heskey continued to waste opportunities.

There was more late drama for goal-keeper Wright when he sent Nenad Veselji tumbling to concede his second penalty of the match in the 88th minute but he redeemed himself on this occasion by blocking Carabott's spot-kick with his legs.

Ipswich's promotion play-off hero distinguished himself with a magnificent last-minute block to deny Veselji the glory of levelling the contest.

In all probability, the performance will merely have confirmed Keegan's starting selection for the opener against Portugal tomorrow week.