Substitute Jon-Dahl Tomasson fired Denmark to a late 3-2 victory over England in a pulsating international friendly on Sunday at Old Trafford.

In a frantic opening nine minutes, teenager Wayne Rooney put England in front, Martin Jorgensen levelled for Denmark and Joe Cole restored the hosts' lead before Jorgensen equalised for a second time in the 30th minute from the penalty spot.

An inspired Rooney hit the post in the second half before leaving to a standing ovation, but his team mates were denied a draw by Tomasson's well-taken strike in the 82nd minute.

England, who like the Danes have already qualified for Euro 2004 in Portugal, will not lose any sleep over the defeat, though some of their defenders will not have improved their chances of playing in next year's tournament.

Denmark, well-organised and oozing attacking flair, continued their excellent form from qualifying and picked up a useful boost to team morale.

England beat the Danes 3-0 in the second round of last year's World Cup, but fielded an experimental side on Sunday as striker Michael Owen, midfielders Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes and defenders Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand were all unavailable.

They had also had another row with the Football Association, last month's protest at the dropping of Ferdinand due to a missed drugs test being followed by a feud over the call-up and subsequent exclusion of striker Alan Smith after he was quizzed by police last week.

BAD OMENS

The omens may not have been good, but a crowd hoping for entertainment on a cold afternoon were rewarded almost immediately as England ripped into the Danish rearguard.

Rooney sprinted on to a wayward pass and smacked an unstoppable shot under the crossbar after five minutes, only for Jorgensen to level three minutes later with a fine volley as England's defence was similarly embarrassed.

England were back on top within a minute after Rooney fed a neat pass through for the onrushing Cole and Chelsea's playmaker tucked a well-placed shot past Thomas Sorensen.

But there was a high price to pay for England's next defensive error when defender Matthew Upson tripped Jorgensen and the Danish forward gave David James no chance from the spot.

England skipper David Beckham, back at Old Trafford after leaving Manchester United for Real Madrid, was foiled with a trademark free kick shortly before the break.

As expected, England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson made a rash of substitutions at the break, though the changes did nothing to stop the two sides trading chances in front of goal.

Substitute keeper Paul Robinson was kept busy as the Danes marauded through England's defence but his luck ran out with eight minutes to go when he failed to hold a ferocious drive from distance and Tomasson snapped up the loose ball.