WEMBLEY, England (AP):

England are on the brink of qualifying for the European Championship after a drab 1-0 victory over Wales yesterday ended a yearlong wait for a win at Wembley Stadium.

Ashley Young scored from Stewart Downing's cross in the 35th minute to put England six points clear at the top of Group G.

But the performance from Fabio Capello's side - fourth in the FIFA rankings - was far from convincing against the team 117th in the world.

Robert Earnshaw squandered a golden chance to equalise in the 77th, missing an open net from six metres for Wales, who are bottom of the group.

"We were a bit disappointed how we played at times, but the most important thing was getting the three points," Downing said.

England will still secure a spot at Euro 2012 with at least a draw at second-place Montenegro in their last qualifier on October 7.

"How comfortable we were on the ball against a top team was very good and makes me proud," Wales manager Gary Speed said.

It was a strong finish from Wales after a cautious start to the match by England, which had coasted to a 2-0 victory in Cardiff in March but had not won its last four home matches.

"We didn't play good passes and we didn't press the ball," Capello said. "The movement was very slow."

Capello sprung a surprise by recalling midfielder Frank Lampard to the starting line-up to earn his 89th cap after being reduced to a substitute's role in the 3-0 victory in Bulgaria last Friday.

But there was little of the dynamism shown in Sofia by England, who struggled to impose themselves on Speed's initially defence-minded side.

It was symptomatic of a team that struggles to impress on home soil.

In the opening 30 minutes, John Terry flashed a header wide from Young's corner and Downing skewed the ball over from close range.

There was little service for Wayne Rooney, who netted twice last Friday but has not scored at home for England since September 2009 against Croatia in 2010 World Cup qualifying.

In the first half, he was reduced to tracking back inside to try to gain the ball.

And it was former Aston Villa teammates who combined to break the deadlock.

Downing went past Joe Ledley on the right flank before dragging the ball back from the byline. Young, who was unmarked six metres from goal, swept the ball inside Wayne Hennessey's near post to net his third England goal.

A cross from Young floated into the box five minutes later, but Rooney couldn't get a touch.

England were more assertive briefly at the start of the second half, with Lampard lifting the ball over on the hour from the edge of the area.

But when Hennessey dropped a free kick from Downing, Gary Cahill could only scoop the bouncing ball over.

And there was a nervy end for the hosts as they clung on to the three points, with Earnshaw's miss and England goalkeeper Joe Hart finally called into action by blocking Chris Hunter's close-range strike with 10 minutes to go.

Capello will be hoping this is his last competitive home game as England manager. If there is another, it will mean England have not topped Group G and will have to contest a November play-off to reach the finals in Poland and Ukraine.