A late second half try from wing Matt Banahan helped England to a frustrating 16-9 victory over an inexperienced Argentina at Twickenham on Saturday and ease, if only very slightly, the pressure on manager Martin Johnson.

A disappointing first half finished the scores all leveled with Jonny Wilkinson and Santiago Fernandez contributing all the points for the respective sides.

It was never going to be a pretty affair with the star performers for both sides coming in their respective back rows. James Haskell and Lewis Moody both played huge roles for England while Pumas captain Juan Fernandez Lobbe was the star for visitors.

Going down to the wire, Argentina mounted serious pressure on the England line in the dying stages of the match but Steve Borthwick's men somehow held on to record their first win of November.

England will have to up their game if they are to beat New Zealand when the All Blacks arrive at Twickenham a week on Saturday.

It seemed that for the second match in a row, following last week's 18-9 loss to Australia, that England - showing four changes from the side beaten by the Wallabies - would be rendered try-less until they at last worked an overlap which saw Banahan go in under the posts.

But it was Argentina who, despite debutant centre Martin Rodriguez missing three penalties, appeared the more inspired and then laid siege to England's line as they chased the converted try which would have tied the scores.

After a low grade first-half, which ended in boos from the crowd, England were fortunate to be all square at 9-9.

The Pumas, without injured playmakers Juan Martin Hernandez and Felipe Contepomi, had kicked better out of hand and, despite the blustery conditions, ran the ball with purpose against an England team who seemed almost scared to give their backs a chance to show their skills.

England were drawn into a punting battle with the Pumas and found themselves coming off second best.

Flyhalf star Jonny Wilkinson provided all of England's points in the first half, with a drop-goal and two penalties - and his boot looked the only way the hosts, playing in unfamiliar purple shirts, would score.

Rodriguez, one of a trio of Argentina debutants, kicked three penalties from five attempts with all three coming in the opening period.

After a shakey start the Pumas enjoyed an even share of attacking ball in the first half but both sides seemed intent on playing a kicking game. England's Ugo Monye, as he did last weekend, struggled under the high ball while Argentina fullback Horacio Agulla seems assured and, late in the game, showed some good attacking with the ball in hand as well.

Early in the second-half, against an Argentina showing seven changes from the team that beat England 24-22 in Salta in June, Wilkinson had a chance to nudge the hosts in front but, for the first time in the match, was off target.

Wing Mark Cueto gave the crowd something to cheer at last with a bold counter-attack that took England deep into Argentina territory.

England won the ensuing lineout but, as the ball was worked across field, Cueto was well-tackled by Argentina right wing Luis Borges to snuff out the prospect of a try.

Just after the hour mark, Pumas hooker Mario Ledesma was penalised for a deliberate knock-on by Welsh referee Nigel Owens but Wilkinson missed.

And when Banahan became the latest England player to knock-on, Johnson put his head in his hands.

The final 20 minutes saw Haskell and England hooker Dylan Hartley finally start to get some success with their running in the midfield and it was a bust from the Stade Francais star which ultimately led to the try. An off-load from Haskell to Borthwick then generated quick ball which was then fired out left - some clever passing from Moody gave Banahan all the space he needed and he finished.

An exciting break from Wilkinson nearly wrapped up the game for England but the Pumas, led so bravely by Lobbe, would not go down quietly. Having chased kicks successfully all night and carried well, along with lock Patricio Albacete, he was understandably disappointed when his side failed to force a draw with a dramatic try at the death.

Man of the Match: A star last weekend as well, England flank Lewis Moody was a constant hazard for the Pumas throughout the match and played a key role in the winning as try. Former Wasps star Haskell too enjoyed an impressive performance, particularly in the second half while, for the Pumas, Lobbe and Burgos should both earn some high praise for their performances.

Moment of the Match: Just one try in the match there is no prize for guessing which event we are highlighting - Banahan's try came after England's best attacking set of phases and was a worthy match-winner. Haskell and Borthwick started it, Moody provided the final pass and Banahan finished.

Villain of the Match: While there was a little bit of needle it wasn't a particularly nasty match. There was one potential issue though were it seemed as thought Dylan Hartley may have deliberately had a go at Rodrigo Roncero but the replay did not show anything too concerning.

The Scorers

For England

Try: Banahan
Pen: Wilkinson 2
DG: Wilkinson
Cons: Wilkinson

For Argentina

Pen: Rodriguez 3

The Teams:

England: 15 Ugo Monye, 14 Mark Cueto, 13 Danny Hipkiss, 12 Shane Geraghty, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 James Haskell, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Tom Croft, 5 Steve Borthwick (captain), 4 Louis Deacon, 3 Duncan Bell, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Tim Payne
Replacements: 16 Steve Thompson, 17 Paul Doran-Jones, 18 Courtney Lawes, 19 Joe Worsley, 20 Danny Care, 21 Andy Goode, 22 Ayoola Erinle

Argentina: 15 Horacio Agulla, 14 Lucas Borges, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Martin Rodriguez, 11 Mauro Comuzzi, 10 Santiago Fernandez, 9 Alfredo Lalanne, 8 Juan Fernandez Lobbe (captain), 7 Alejandro Abadie, 6 Tomas Leonardi, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Esteban Lozada, 3 Martin Scelzo, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Rodrigo Roncero
Replacements: 16 Alberto Vernet Basualdo, 17 Marcos Ayerza, 18 Manuel Carizza, 19 Alejandro Campos, 20 Agustin Figuerola, 21 Benjamin Urdapilleta, 22 Federico Martin Aramburu

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Alan Lewis (Ireland), Peter Allan (Scotland)
TMO: Hugh Watkins (Wales)