NEWCASTLE UNITED'S James Milner helped to put England Under-21s' European Championships dream back on track at the Riverside Stadium last night against Group Six whipping boys Azerbaijan.

Milner may have struggled to persuade Graeme Souness to pick him in the Premiership this season but he has had no such problems with young national team coach Peter Taylor - despite playing with a head wound.

And the 19-year-old marked his tenth cap with a display that set England on course for their fourth qualifying victory and helped erase memories of allowing a 2-1 lead slip against Germany on Friday night.

Milner assisted in his country's opening two goals last night - in front of a Teesside crowd of almost 20,000 - when he set up Liverpool's John Welsh for the opener before dribbling his way to Dean Ashton to set up the second of the evening.

The success over Azerbaijan, who have now failed to score in more than three years at this level, helped England to the top of the table after six games and it also put a smile back on the face of manager Taylor.

After two wins and a draw over the Easter period, after a draw and a loss with full-time employers Hull City, Taylor can concentrate on a League One title challenge with the Tigers knowing England's next encounter is not until they travel to Wales on September 2.

Without Riverside regulars Tony McMahon, James Morrison and Ross Turnbull through injury - plus Stewart Downing's inclusion in the seniors squad for tonight's World Cup qualifier - there was at least a compliment of North-East talent on show.

Newcastle's Steven Taylor and Milner, despite wearing a head bandage after suffering seven stitches in a collision with sidelined skipper Gary O'Neil, both started while there was also a cameo role from the bench for Darren Ambrose.

And it was Milner's vision that finally sparked the game into life just before the half hour mark.

The former Leeds forward found himself in acres of space on the right by-line and his shot-cum-cross picked out midfielder Welsh unmarked 18 yards out.

Liverpool's talented combative midfielder, whose style has been likened to Steven Gerrard, then showed another side to his game when he curled a right foot shot over the keeper to give England the lead. It was a strike that was a little harsh on Azerbaijan, who had started like a side intent on taking their second point against Taylor's side of the group stage.

But, despite some solid defending and nice passes, they only had a stray, ambitious 45-yard drive from lone striker Murad Aghakishiyev to show. While midfielder Ramal Huseynov's effort nearly sneaked in past a troubled Scott Carson.

Carson's fortune allowed England to go immediately on the offensive. Darren Bent had a stinging drive saved by Ruslan Majidov after Kieran Richardson's expert crossfield pass.

Moments later Ashton's acrobatic overhead kick flew just over the crossbar but he made no mistake three minutes before half-time when he added a crucial second.

The former Sunderland target, fed the ball at a difficult angle after some neat play involving Tynesider Taylor and Milner, drove his shot across keeper Majidov and into the net with both precision and power.

Last night's result was never really in any doubt from there on in and the half-time lead ensured England had the perfect platform to extend an impressive unbeaten record at this venue to five games - having defeated Austria, Georgia, Albania and the Ukraine.

During that run there have been 18 goals and Ipswich front-man Bent nearly added to that total but Majidov tipped his downward header away superbly.

Substitute Jon Stead volleyed against the bar and had a fine header well saved