Wayne Rooney's sixth-minute header gave England a deserved lead and they could have been further in front as Montenegro failed to fire before halftime.

However, the tables were turned after the break with the home side, roared on by their raucous fans, laying siege to England's goal before substitute Dejan Damjanovic poked home a 77th-minute equaliser after a goalmouth scramble.

It was the third draw between the two countries after both matches in Euro 2012 qualifying ended all square.

Montenegro stayed top with 14 points from six games, two more than Roy Hodgson's England who they must still face at Wembley.

The City Stadium was rocking as the game kicked off but with the home crowd in full voice but it was England who started the game in confident fashion.

Wide open spaces in Montenegro's sub-strength defence were almost exploited as early as the second minute when Rooney found himself in space and his chip over the hopelessly out of position keeper Mladen Bozovic struck the post.

A minute later Bozocic tipped Glen Johnson's dipping shot over the crossbar.

There was no respite for Bozovic and from the resulting corner Steven Gerrard's delivery picked out Rooney to give England a dream start with a downward header.

Montenegro's dangermen Mirko Vucinic and Stevan Jovetic got more involved as the hosts finally began to settle but England keeper Joe Hart was largely a bystander.

England's pacey attacks were too much for a lumbering home defence who were lucky not to concede again when Rooney just failed to wrap his foot around James Milner's driven cross.

Danny Welbeck was booked for simulation when he fell in the area although television replays suggested the Manchester United striker had been clipped by Stefan Savic.

Montenegro lifted the crowd early in the second half and half of those in the stadium thought skipper Vucinic had scored when he rose to head a corner into the side-netting.

Juventus's Vucinic whipped up the crowd to make more noise and the pressure intensified on England who looked rattled after showing so much composure in the opening period.

Marko Basa went close with a header and Vucinic wasted Montenegro's best chance when he side-footed over the crossbar after a panicky clearance from Joleon Lescott.

England dropped deeper and deeper to try and stifle Montenegro but it simply invited more pressure with Hart having some anxious moments.

Vucinic was involved in everything and he curled an effort narrowly wide with 20 minutes remaining before Hart clawed away a goalbound Jovetic effort. Montenegro then went agonisingly close from the corner when the ball bobbled against the post.

Montenegro finally got the equaliser their dominance deserved when substitute Damjanovic prodded home after a goalmouth scramble following a superb Hart save.

England rallied late on and almost snatched victory in stoppage time when Steven Gerrard's curling free kick was bundled behind by Bozovic.

The final whistle was greeted with huge celebrations by Montenegro's fans as their dream of qualifying for the World Cup finals remained very much alive.