It was not exactly a spectacular brave new dawn but England's attempts to haul themselves out of mediocrity were always going to be a case of evolution rather than revolution.

And although Peter Taylor's inexperienced young side lost a low-key friendly in Italy, there were at least some positive signs to encourage the watching Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Former Rangers midfielder Reno Gattuso scored the 57th-minute winner after escaping a red card, let alone a caution, for slapping David Beckham on the head, while two strong England penalty claims were turned down.

Italy, who made six substitutions, admittedly never moved into top gear and England's qualification problems for the 2002 World Cup remain as large as ever, with there clearly being no quick fix on the horizon.

Then again, any realistic observer knew that much before this friendly and at least the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Newcastle's Kieron Dyer gained much-needed experience against the Euro 2000 runners-up.

Even less would surely have been learned if the likes of Tony Adams and Martin Keown had been picked, while Taylor's options had been further reduced by the withdrawals of Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard.

Yet there was still cause for some measured long-term optimism in the relative assurance of Ferdinand allied to Dyer's useful exuberance and captain Beckham's maturing influence in central midfield.

What Eriksson made of it all remains to be seen but it is clear that while victory would not have solved England's existing problems overnight, neither has this narrow defeat worsened them.

It must also be remembered that this side, with six international goals, an average age of 25 and less than 200 caps between them, was there to learn, not to perform as the finished article.

The paltry crowd told its own story of the way in which the Italian public viewed this fixture.

Taylor's side nevertheless settled quickly into their stride despite heavy rain, displaying an ability to keep possession as well as holding their shape.

Ferdinand made a number of well-timed interceptions and showed signs of his passing ability, while Ray Parlour and Dyer were both effervescent figures.

The Italians rarely threatened at that stage, with keeper David James comfortably saving their two shots on target.

And while it was hardly a case of chances galore at the other end either, this was the Italian defence that conceded just four goals in six games at the European Championships.

Heskey attempted to use his pace and strength to make the breakthrough, but he needed more support.

The closest he came to a goal was a powerful shot over the bar after being released by Beckham, whose influence was growing as he constantly made himself available.

With Jamie Carragher replacing the injured Nicky Butt after just 25 minutes, England were holding their own in the first-half.

They even threatened to take the lead after the break when Heskey crossed to the far post, where Parlour's shot was blocked by goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

The loose ball fell to Beckham, who clearly felt that he was fouled in the penalty area by Gattuso and, as he remonstrated with the midfielder was slapped on the back of the head.

Referee Sandor Puhl missed the incident and, to make matters worse, the Italians broke clear and it was Gattuso who beat James with a powerful drive off the under side of the bar from 25 yards as Beckham failed to tackle him.

The goal brought the match to life at last, with a shot from Gareth Barry being saved and Heskey having another penalty claim turned down after tangling with Alessandro Nesta.

Substitute Seth Johnson was only denied by a point-blank reaction save from scoring with virtually his first touch on his debut, while Gareth Southgate headed narrowly wide.

James denied substitute Alessandro del Piero by tipping a free kick on to the bar but, despite England's late pressure, the draw which their efforts had probably merited never materialised