DANIEL STURRIDGE scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as England came from behind to beat Wales and move to the top of the Group B table.

With his side trailing to Gareth Bale’s long-range free-kick at the interval, Roy Hodgson introduced both Sturridge and Jamie Vardy to change things, and his substitutions had a profoundly positive effect.

Vardy equalised within 11 minutes of the restart as he swivelled in the six-yard box before hooking home, and Sturridge claimed the winner in the second minute of stoppage time as he received the ball from Dele Alli before stabbed into the net.

It is the first time England have ever won a game at a major tournament when they were trailing at half-time, and it effectively guarantees Hodgson’s side a place in the knockout round.

Hodgson named an unchanged starting line-up, but whereas England had carved Russia apart in the first 45 minutes in Marseille, only to fail to take their chances, they found themselves much more tightly shackled by a well-drilled Wales side.

That said, however, they would still have claimed the lead in the seventh minute had Raheem Sterling shown any of the composure that might have been expected of a player supposedly worth £50m.

Adam Lallana broke down the right, but while his cross was perfectly-weighted for a sliding Sterling, the Manchester City winger somehow prodded the ball over. It was a dreadful miss from a player who has had a wretched tournament so far.

Gary Cahill aimed a header straight at Wayne Hennessey after Wayne Rooney, who took over corner duties from Harry Kane, delivered a set-piece from the right, and England should have been awarded a 32nd-minute penalty when Ben Davies handled in the area.

Kane’s header from Sterling’s cross hit Davies in the head, and the ball clearly rebounded onto the Wales defender’s hand.

German referee Felix Brych remained unmoved though, and after Chris Smalling headed narrowly wide from another corner, England found themselves behind from Wales’ first chance of the game.

In fact, it was barely even an opportunity, with Bale lining up a free-kick from fully 35 yards after Rooney fouled Hal Robson-Kanu. Joe Hart got his left hand to the ball, but could only manage to palm it into the corner of the net.

With Hart’s goalkeeping error having placed England in serious trouble of elimination, Hodgson made a double change at the break.

Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge replaced Kane and Sterling, with England switching to a diamond-shaped midfield.

Immediately, they displayed more impetus, and they were level within 11 minutes of the restart as their increased adventure was rewarded.

Both substitutes had a major hand in the goal, with Sturridge crossing from the left and Vardy pouncing to hook home after Ashley Williams’ misdirected header fell into his path. Vardy was stood in an offside position, but because the ball came off a Wales defender, the goal was rightly allowed to stand.

Suddenly, England were a completely different proposition, and Sturridge almost threatened shortly after the hour mark, only to fail to get his volley away from inside the area.

The Liverpool striker did fire at goal moments later, only for the ball to fly over the crossbar, and with the game seemingly there for the taking, Hodgson brought on teenager Marcus Rashford with 17 minutes remaining.

Rooney’s shot from the edge of the area was blocked by James Chester, but Sturridge struck to settle things in stoppage time.

An intricate move involving Vardy and Alli ended with the ball falling at his feet, and he brushed aside Chris Gunter before stabbing the ball inside the near post.