London, Mar 30 (IANS): Striker Jamie Vardy scored on his first start but England fell to a 1-2 defeat against the Netherlands in a football friendly match.

The Dutch failed to qualify for the Euro 2016 finals and came to this match with a line-up short of the stellar players who finished third at the 2014 World Cup.

But they equalised from the penalty spot through Vincent Janssen, and went ahead with a disputed second through Luciano Narsingh here on Tuesday.

The Netherlands had the first chance, with Stoke City’s Ibrahim Affelay, one of four England-based players in the visiting starting XI, having a stern shot spilled and then gathered by Fraser Forster.

Vardy responded by firing over, then Ross Barkley showed his blend of power and skill to spin off Riechedly Bazoer and drill a shot narrowly wide of the right-hand post.

Even so, Vardy’s opener came as a pleasant surprise to the home fans at the Wembley stadium.

Vardy finished his shot from inside the box high into the net. Netherlands looked a better side after the break, and within four minutes were level.

England defender John Stones slipped in possession and Holland's Vincent Janssen picked up the loose ball before working Forster from close range. Then from the resulting melee Danny Rose was adjudged to have handballed a Narsingh cross.

Janssen’s top-corner penalty restored the parity.

Janssen appeared to barge into Phil Jagielka before taking a touch into the six-yard box, cutting back for Narsingh to tap home at the far post amid protests from England.