A late try by winger Matt Banahan helped England scrape a 16-9 victory over an inexperienced Argentina side in another uninspired display.

After a first half littered with up-and-unders and handling errors with barely a passing move, the teams were level at 9-9 after a drop goal and two penalties for Jonny Wilkinson and three penalties for debutant Puma centre Martin Rodriguez.

When Wilkinson then missed three successive penalty attempts the home fans, many of whom had booed their own team off at half-time, were fearing another defeat after last week's reverse against Australia.

They were spared that humiliation when the giant Banahan finally broke through after a rare backline move.

England, wearing a purple strip, still ended the game hanging on desperately on their own line against a Puma side who also missed three penalties.