
England Women Under 23s drew 1-1 with Portugal in the European WU23 Competition, watched by 2,074 at Sixfields Stadium.
Portugal made the most of what was a rare first-half opportunity to take the lead, Nadia Bravo beating goalkeeper Faye Kirby with a powerful angled drive inside the near post.
England lost captain Naomi Layzell to injury inside 20 minutes but went close to a first-half equalizer when Izzy Goodwin headed against the crossbar.
Olivia McLoughlin forced a corner and after 55 minutes, a sweeping move saw Keira Barry fire the Young Lionesses back to level terms.
Marie Ferreira’s strike from the edge of the box was heading for the roof of the net. until Kirby pulled off a flying save.
Freya Gregory swung at and missed a quick ball across the six-yard box, McLaughlin struck the bar in the 90th minute and Silcock almost caught the keeper off her line in added time.
England WU23s next play Norway on Thursday 27 November, at the Joie Stadium, Manchester.
