Peter Crouch scored his 11th international goal as England stuttered to a 1-0 win against FYR Macedonia in Skopje.
It was an unimpressive display by Steve McClaren's side but the three points were all that mattered as England maintained their 100 per cent start to their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.
McClaren made one change from Saturday's 5-0 thrashing of Andorra - Rio Ferdinand coming in for Wes Brown - as the former Middlesbrough boss took charge of England for the first time on foreign soil.
It was always going to be a tough game for the visitors as they had struggled to draw 2-2 at home to FYR Macedonia in a Euro 2004 qualifier, before winning the away leg 2-1.
Former Slovenia coach Srecko Katanec was looking to guide FYR Macedonia to another victory following their impressive 1-0 win in Estonia last month.
In a very dull first half, Ilco Naumoski did his best to liven up proceedings by getting booked inside the opening 20 seconds for trying to stop Paul Robinson from clearing the ball.
However, FYR Macedonia were on top in the first 15 minutes with Robert Petrov looking dangerous down the left flank and John Terry was forced to head his tantalising cross away from danger.
In an auspicious start by England, Crouch was penalised for a series of free-kicks but, in a rare attack after 25 minutes, the lanky Liverpool striker headed Phil Neville's long throw towards goal and Jane Nikoloski was forced to tip the ball over the bar for a corner.
Three minutes later another long throw caused consternation in the FYR Macedonia defence and Jermain Defoe's ambitious overhead kick drifted just wide.
Six minutes before the break Crouch flicked on yet another Neville long throw and Defoe this time volleyed over the bar.
The match livened up just before half time and Velice Sumolikoski had a rare chance for the hosts in the 42nd minute but his on-target shot was blocked by Terry before Nikoloski was forced to tip Frank Lampard's raking drive away for a corner.
The defining moment of the match came immediately after the restart. A good move by England straight from the kick-off ended with Lampard crossing for Crouch to hook the ball home, via the crossbar, and just over the line.
Just before the hour Crouch had a chance to make it 12 international goals in only 14 appearances when his rasping drive from the edge of the area flew inches wide with Nikoloski beaten.
Nikoloski was then forced to scramble across his goal to divert Steven Gerrard's mis-hit shot away from danger, before Terry latched on to Lampard's corner only to drag his shot wide.
England were made to sweat in the closing stages after Artim Sakiri's late introduction as a substitute. He got free down the left but dragged his cross-shot narrowly wide before, with six minutes left, his cross led to an almighty scramble inside the penalty area before Ashley Cole hacked the ball off the line after almost slicing a shot into his own net.
It wasn't pretty but England hung on for the victory to make it six points from their first two games.