England snatched a 2-2 draw in Amsterdam thanks to second-half goals from substitute Jermain Defoe after Holland took advantage of some schoolboy-like defensive frailties in the first 45 minutes.

Defoe netted two well-worked goals to give Fabio Capello's side a deserved draw, but an error-riddled first period will leave the England manager scratching his head.

A bright opening from the hosts was capped by a 10th minute goal from Liverpool handyman Dirk Kuyt.

But the goal should never have happened, as Rio Ferdinand's casual style of play saw him try to act too cool in a weak back-pass to a helpless Rob Green in the England goal.

Kuyt rounded Green to the deadball line, before skipping inside and firing past John Terry who desperately tried to guard the near-post, as Ferdinand looked on in a daze.

And the ultimate crime was committed by England again with 37 minutes gone.

Gareth Barry opted to pass to Ashley Cole without looking to the delight of lively winger Arjen Robben.

Robben happily nipped in to see his shot saved by Green when one-on-one. But the rebound fell to Real Madrid team-mate Rafael van der Vaart, who struck into an empty net on the edge of the area.

Despite promising play from the likes of David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard in the first half, England went in at the break with red faces after two errors which would have gone unforgiven in amateur football.

But a side rejuvenated by three half-time substitutions, including Defoe, came out and bossed the second half.

Just four minutes into the second period, Defoe halved the deficit with a well-taken goal on the break.

After Rooney was fouled in his own half, the referee allowed an advantage which saw Lampard lob the ball forward.

A terrific first touch and turn of pace from the Tottenham striker took him away from the Dutch defence and a brilliant low left-foot strike from the edge of the box bounced from the inside of the post into the back of the net.

The game become disjointed in the last half hour, as both sides made several changes and the pre-season fitness issues begin to tell.

But with just over 10 minutes to go, livewire winger James Milner capped an impressive substitute debut by providing the assist for Defoe's second.

The Aston Villa man took the ball off the head of Johnny Heitinga to swoop in behind the Dutch defence to place the ball on the boot of Defoe across the six-yard box, who in-turn tapped home with ease.

Both sides settled for the draw, in a friendly typical of its placing on the calendar.