GOALKEEPER Rachel Brown was an unused substitute as England were disappointingly held to a 1-1 draw in their opening match of the 2001 European Championships finals.

Russia were said to be the weak link of the Group A teams which include hosts and defending Euro champions Germany alongside Sweden and England needed a win against Russia to boost their hopes of reaching the semi-final stage.

Burnley girl Brown -- looking for her 14th cap -- never got onto centre stage with Pauline Cope keeping hold of the number one position.

It all looked so good for England when Arsenal striker Angela Banks continued her scoring streak to give England a dream start. Deep into stoppage time England broke from their own half through right-back Danielle Murphy and she put midfielder Tara Proctor into space.

Proctor threaded the ball through to Karen Burke -- winning her 50th cap -- and her cross into the box left Banks to beat the Russian defence and slam home into the bottom left-hand corner.

Banks' third goal for her country could yet prove to be the most important as defeat in the opening match would almost certainly have ended any chance of progressing from the group stage.

And while there will be disappointment in conceding Alexandra Svetltskaia's equaliser just after the hour mark, Banks insisted England had played well but would only improve as the tournament continued.

"I think it was a good performance and coming out with a draw against Russia you can't ask for more," she said.

"Obviously we didn't want to lose so to come away with a point we've to look at it as a good start."

But the 25-year-old striker confessed that nerves had played a part in a very tense game. "There is a lot more we can do," added Banks. "It was the first game, a lot of nerves and everyone played slightly different than normal.

"Hopefully in the next game we'll go with a bit more confidence and play to the ability we know we can."

England coach Hope Powell was positive about the result.

"It was a game we really didn't want to lose and we've come away with a point, we're not bottom of the group so I am pleased," she said. "The conditions didn't suit our girls too well but they kept going and we got a great goal which set us up quite nicely. But credit to Russia for coming back."

Powell also felt the crowd of 1,253 had not seen the best England had to offer but insisted her side were looking forward to facing Sweden. "We've got to rest, re-hydrate, go back on the field and put possibly a few things right," she added.

England face Sweden on Wednesday.