SAINTS striker Dexter Blackstock was a national hero last night after bagging his first England goal in dramatic circumstances.

The second-half substitute grabbed a last-minute winner for the Under-19s against Sweden at Bury's Gigg Lane to ensure England qualified for this summer's European Championship finals in Belfast.

Blackstock, currently on loan at Plymouth after hitting five goals for Saints in the first half of the campaign, had been dropped to the bench for the clash after starting Saturday's 1-0 win against Northern Ireland.

But he replaced Ipswich's Dean Bowditch on 64 minutes and was left with a simple tap-in from a Will Hoskins cross to send England - who again included Saints pair Martin Cranie and Matt Mills in the centre of defence - into Wednesday's game against Moldova with the pressure off.

Blackstock, who had earlier missed a good chance right in front of goal just eight minutes after coming on, said: "You try and make an impact when you come off the bench, so it was nice to get on the scoresheet.

"After 85 minutes I started to think it would be one of those days, but thanks to a great ball from Will I was able to get the all important goal.

"All in all it was a great team performance, and we're very happy to go through."

Saints starlet Theo Walcott was rested as England under 17s beat Northern Ireland 3-0 in a UEFA European Championship qualifier at Wolves' Molineux Stadium yesterday.

Wolves prodigy Mark Davies skippered England on his home turf and scored one of the goals in front of an 8,000 crowd.

Chelsea's Michael Mancienne and Everton's James Vaughan also netted.

Walcott is expected to return to the starting line up against the Republic of Ireland at Walsall's Bescot Stadium, where England under 17s complete their qualifying programme tomorrow night.

And he will be back at Molineux on April 13th, when he will face midfielder Davies and the rest of Wolves under-18s in the second leg of Saints' FA Youth Cup semi-final.

Saints midfielder Jake Thomson played the last 15 minutes of England under 16s' 2-0 win against Ivory Coast as Kenny Swain's side finished in fifth place in the Montaigu tournament in north-west France.

On-loan Saints defender Calum Davenport is expected to play for England Under-21s against Azerbaijan at Middlesbrough FC tonight.

Davenport was in the England side that drew 2-2 with Germany last Friday.