ROY Hodgson was rewarded for taking a chance on Tottenham winger Andros Townsend as the debutant took Montenegro apart and then scored the goal that helped England to a 4-1 victory that leaves them just one more win away from booking their World Cup place in Brazil.

Handed his debut on the most tense of occasions, Townsend played with a freedom no one else could match.

His run set up Wayne Rooney for England's opener just after the break and then, after Dejan Damjanovic had cancelled out a bizarre Branko Boskovic own goal, Townsend scored a stunning third, driving straight at the Montenegro defence before producing a brilliant finish from the edge of the area.

It was a priceless contribution as, with Ukraine beating Poland and only having San Marino to play, England had to win to remain in control of their own destiny.

Daniel Sturridge's injury-time penalty rounded off a handsome victory.

But they will take on Poland in their final match at Wembley on Tuesday without full-back Kyle Walker, suspended after being booked for tugging back Stevan Jovetic in the second half.