England lost a highly-charged match at The Brit Oval as India levelled the NatWest Series by completing a huge run chase in the final over.

Controversy reigned as England attempted to wrap up the seven-match campaign without the injured Andrew Flintoff, but the teams will now face a showdown at Lord's on Saturday with the score 3-3.

Robin Uthappa, in his first appearance of the series, settled an incredible contest by a two-wicket margin when he scored the 10 required off Stuart Broad's final over in just four balls.

It was the final twist in a tense, error-strewn affair which included England captain Paul Collingwood being controversially run out, an angry spat at the head of India's pursuit of 317 and Sachin Tendulkar limping off after contributing a magnificent 94.

On a day of some excellent batting it laid the platform to settle the run-fest.

Centurion Owais Shah, debutant Luke Wright - Flintoff's replacement - and the big-hitting Dimitri Mascarenhas propelled England to an ominous 316 for six.

Their action-packed innings culminated with an extraordinary final over, which saw Mascarenhas hit the last five deliveries - sent down by Yuvraj Singh - for six.

But it was Uthappa's 50th over antics which ultimately proved most significant as he failed to be distracted by losing partner Zaheer Khan to a run out off the second ball.

He calmly wedged a full toss over short fine-leg for four off the third and with only one more boundary required for victory found it at the first attempt with a splendid off-drive.

Moments later the 21-year-old was engulfed by his team-mates, who had run down the steps from the dressing room to share the moment.

England captain Paul Collingwood praised the contribution of debutant Luke Wright, who made 50, and Owais Shah.

He said: "We didn't get off to a great start but for Luke Wright to change the momentum of the game as he did and for Owais to get his first hundred was a great way to finish the first half of the match."