England Women 0-0 Wales Women: Neville left frustrated as they are held in WC qualifier

Phil Neville was very clear in stating how it would be. For all the positivity and bumper crowd of 25,603 enjoyment, he said, would only come with a win.

As it was, he was left grimacing on the touchline as his first match in charge of England's women on home soil ended in a frustrating 0-0 draw.

England had 16 attempts at St Mary's and kept pressing until the final whistle but they found Wales goalkeeper Laura O'Sullivan in inspired form.

This World Cup qualifier did not go according to plan - England had won the previous eight meetings between the nations by an aggregate score of 34-2 - but Neville, whose side now face Bosnia on Tuesday, was magnanimous and recognised Wales's efforts.

Something to which Neville must become accustomed is lesser teams trying to stifle the life out of his teams. Wales, who arrived on the South Coast atop of Group A, played five defenders and midfield four to shut out England's attack.

It was the visitors, though, who were unfortunate not to take an early lead when Tash Harding, the Reading forward, saw a shot deflect off Steph Houghton to wrong foot goalkeeper Carly Telford but, somehow, Lucy Bronze managed to scoop the ball off the line.

England dominated possession and, for most of the contest, had Wales penned back on their 18-yard area but they struggled to create clear-cut chances; the best moment before the interval was provided by Arsenal's Jordan Nobbs, who saw O'Sullivan tip a 25-yard shot onto the bar.

O'Sullivan continued to be a bane in the second period, throwing herself in front of everything that came her way, her best moments arriving in the 71st minute when she plunged to keep out a stinging drive from Ellen White and in injury time when she thwarted Fran Kirby.

'I don't think we played well enough in the first half,' Neville said. 'I have to give credit to Wales.'