England's second string gave manager Roy Hodgson food for thought ahead of the World Cup finals with an encouraging performance in an entertaining draw with Ecuador at the Sun Life Stadium.

Wayne Rooney's 39<sup>th international goal and Rickie Lambert's strike either side of half-time cancelled out Enno Valencia's early header, but substitute Michael Arroyo grabbed a draw with 20 minutes left with a stunning strike.

Antonio Valencia and Raheem Sterling were both sent off late on for an angry exchange and while neither will miss their country's opening games of the World Cup, the game wasn't without its scares – with the Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jack Wilshere both limping off.

Despite a worryingly lackluster defensive performance, Hodgson will have taken huge encouragement from a first international goal since November for the under fire Rooney and the performances of Ross Barkley and Oxlade-Chamberlain, who shone in Miami.

In the second of three warm-up games ahead of the opening game against Italy in Manaus on 14 June, Hodgson handed many of his younger players a run-out ahead of the finals – making ten changes from the win over Peru – with Rooney the only player retained.

The Manchester United striker began on the left-hand side, with new Liverpool striker Lambert starting in attack, while Phil Jones, Wilshere and Oxlade-Chamberlain were all handed valuable starts in their return from respective injuries.

In Ecuador's final friendly before the start of the group stage campaign, manager Reinaldo Rueda Rivera selected a strong side which included Valencia and former Manchester City forward Felipe Caicedo.

And despite an impressive start from England, the South American side took an early lead inside nine minutes when after James Milner stood off Walter Ayovi, his whipped cross found the untracked Valencia who headed firmly into the corner.

Although England's expansive game through the likes of Barkley and Oxlade-Chamberlain was proving profitable at one end, their desire to play out from the back was contributing to their own problems and Ben Foster did well to smoother from Jefferson Montero after James Milner was dispossessed.

Máximo Banguera saved well from Frank Lampard's long-range effort as England got closer and eventually they grabbed an equaliser in fortuitous circumstances as the Ecuador 'keeper missed Oxlade-Chamberlain's cross and after Lambert hit the post with a flick, Rooney poked home from a yard.

Though amid calamitous circumstances, Rooney's goal worked to ease the pressure on his place in the first team and the England forward's relief was palpable.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was denied by Banguera from a tight angel as England dominated the remainder of the first half but just seven minutes after the break they had their second.

Barkley's rampaging run saw him tee up Lambert, whose shot with the outside of his right foot flew beyond the dive of the hapless Banguera.

A blot on a much-improved second half England display came as Oxlade-Chamberlain was substituted with a knee problem, as Jon Flanagan won his maiden international cap, while Wilshere later went off with a similar-looking injury.

England's appetite to overplay in their own half returned and almost saw their lead evaporate in the Miami humidity as Valencia was denied a second by the post before substitute Arroyo lashed beyond Foster from 20 yards.

Spades of substitutes resulting in a scrappy end to the game, which was overshadowed by red cards for both Valencia and Sterling, after the former was left irate by a lunging challenge from the Liverpool winger.

However, the incident will have done nothing to eclipse an England performance which will have proved hugely beneficially for Hodgson ahead of the first group match against Italy.

Wayne Rooney Brazil