As the final whistle sounded in Podgorica on Friday night, England players trudged off the field almost disconsolately, as if paralysed by the shock of letting Montenegro come back from two goals down.

The small matter that they had in fact qualified for the Euro 2012 Finals was lost, as the pain of snatching a draw from the jaws of victory appeared to overwhelm them, with no air of triumph among the players.

The emotions the players were dealing with as they walked off were probably ones of embarrassment and frustration, much like those of many England fans watching.

Embarrassment because they failed to hold on to a two-goal lead against the national side of a country with a population only marginally larger than Bradford. The frustration stemmed from the fact their best player will miss at least the first game of next year’s tournament having got himself sent off here, totally unnecessarily, yet justly.

The Football Association is expected to issue a plea today to UEFA for Wayne Rooney’s ban not to be extended, and will offer to provide any evidence to help the Manchester United striker’s cause. Any decision on Rooney’s ban may come this week, or England may have to wait more than a month for the outcome, with UEFA’s disciplinary commision not expected to meet again until November 17.

Rooney’s dismissal in the 73^rd minute, when England were 2-1 up, was the catalyst for a flood of Montenegrin pressure that England couldn’t hold back, but from a short-term result perspective no damage was done. England are through despite the late equaliser.

But there seemed to be resignation in the way the players walked off, an acceptance that they’re a pretty decent side but far from what’s required to topple the likes of Spain, Holland and Germany.

Sure they’d won the qualifying group, but it was hardly a ‘group of death’ was it? Montenegro, the second-placed team, for most of the first half on Friday night played more like Bradford City than a team who should be in contention for a place at a major tournament.

Bulgaria haven’t had a really decent team for about 15 years, Switzerland have never had a really decent team and then you’re looking at Wales, who have few players of Premier League class, never mind international class.

England’s starting XI on Friday included Gary Cahill, Gareth Barry, Scott Parker and Darren Bent; good players all but boasting little silverware between them. Never mind whether England fans have belief in these players, of more concern should be whether these players have real belief themselves that they can excel against top-class opponents.

Barry and Parker were enjoying themselves as the midfield partnership in the first half, displaying a measure of control and passing the ball with alacrity. England got off to a great start, when in the 11th minute Theo Walcott galloped down the wing and pinpointed a perfect cross for Ashley Young to nod them ahead.

Young then supplied the killer pass after good work from Rooney – involved in virtually all that was good about England – for Darren Bent to slot in the second with 31 minutes played.

The lead should’ve been insurmountable, away from home and with no need to commit players forward, but then the last shot of the first half, from Elsad Zverotic, was deflected past Joe Hart by Cahill’s boot.

The atmosphere intensified and, buoyed by the home crowd, Montenegro had England pegged back for much of the second half and might have had a penalty when Phil Jones appeared to bring down Steven Jovetic. After Rooney’s sending off for a petulant kick at Miodrag Dzudovic, the pressure only increased further.

With time running down England had apparently weathered the storm, but Andrija Delibasic’s equalised in injury time with a header at the far post. The point for Montenegro ensures they qualify for the play-offs.

But the talking point was Rooney, and Fabio Capello has made it clear he will not be picking his first-choice striker until he serves his ban – opting instead to look at his other options in attack.