Shearer - It's Time For McClaren To Go!

Steve McClaren has pointed an accusing finger at Spanish referee Luis Medina Cantalejo for the "disgraceful" decision that has helped to leave England on the brink of a humiliating failure to reach Euro 2008.

But it was his tactics that cost us the game. He admitted after the game: "We had the goal, we just had to sit on it and defend".

But it was his negative tactics at the start of the second-half that had us baffled. It was plain England were never going to hold out with a 'backs to the wall' battle plan and it was only a matter of time before the Russians hit the back of the net.

The fact it came from a penalty was Wayne Rooney's fault ... NOT the referee. You don't drag a player back when he's on the edge of the box, inside or outside.

England were in front when Cantalejo ruled Wayne Rooney tugged Konstantin Zyryanov's shirt inside the box.

The foul was clear enough, but TV replays showed the player's feet were outside the area.

Yet up stepped Roman Pavlyuchenko to level from the spot - and when the Russian substitute netted again four minutes later, England's dreams were in tatters.

McClaren: "It is an absolute disgrace.

"We were comfortable, and they were running out of ideas. If that penalty had not been awarded, I am absolutely confident we would have won the game. We were in total control.

"I am not blaming anybody - but the penalty was given by a referee in a bad position because it was outside the box.

"I don't fault the players; I don't fault their attitude; I don't fault their endeavour - and I don't fault what they did in the game.

"Because of one decision, we went from being in a winning position to losing."

McClaren did not mention, however, the fact that the officials also failed to spot that Rooney was marginally offside when he sent his first-half opener arrowing into the roof of Russia's goal.

McClaren is left pinning his hopes on Israel - who did hold Russia to a draw in Moscow earlier in qualifying.