ENGLAND are within a point of qualifying for the 2015 World Cup after securing a 2-1 win over Ukraine.

Casey Stoney and Eniola Aluko scored in Lviv on Thursday night to put the finals in touching distance.

At one stage it appeared Mark Sampson’s team would clinch their place at Canada 2015 with two matches to spare.

But a late hat-trick from Natasha Harding for group rivals Wales to earn victory in Belarus meant England, now with eight wins from eight games, were kept waiting.

Former captain Casey Stoney headed England in front after 11 minutes, and Eniola Aluko doubled the lead three minutes later, touching home Jill Scott’s effort.

With Wales unable to find a breakthrough before half-time against Belarus, English hopes of tying up first place in the group were soaring.

Olha Ovdiychuk tapped in after 63 minutes to narrow Ukraine’s deficit. After reaching a running tally of 38 goals without reply in the group stage it was the first time England had conceded in the campaign.

England brought on striker Lianne Sanderson for midfielder Scott with 20 minutes remaining to add firepower and fresh legs as Ukraine pressed for an equaliser they rarely looked capable of finding.

Only Wales can catch England, who hold a five-point lead in Group Six, and the teams will go head to head at the Cardiff City Stadium on August 21.

A draw or better would send England through automatically. 

But if the Lions lose to their neighbours, England would still go through with victory in their final game against Montenegro, a team who were trounced 9-0 at Brighton in April.

Coach Mr Sampson heaped praise on his side after the march.

“Proud of the team,” he said. 

“(We) had to show another side of us tonight in hugely challenging environment.

“Great resilience and played as a team.”