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WALES CRUMBLE, COOKIE GRUMBLES

Euro 2016: Wales boss Chris Coleman disappointed by defending as England snatch last-minute winner through Daniel Sturridge strike

Chris Coleman could only watch on as England nicked a late winner against Wales in their Battle of Britain clash in Lens

CHRIS COLEMAN could not hide his frustration with Wales' defence as they conceded a late heartbreaker to England and lost 2-1.

The Red Dragons were on course to qualify for the knock-out stages with a draw, but former defender Cookie reckoned his side had thrown away a precious point in Lens.

Wales had taken a lead into half-time after a superb free kick from Gareth Bale crept inside Joe Hart's left-hand post.

But England got back into the game as Ashley Williams' backwards header fell to the feet of Jamie Vardy, who smashed home from inside the six yard box.

 Chris Coleman could only watch on as England nicked a late winner against Wales in their Battle of Britain clash in Lens
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Chris Coleman could only watch on as England nicked a late winner against Wales in their Battle of Britain clash in LensCredit: Getty Images
 Daniel Sturridge celebrates scoring a last-minute winner for England against Wales in Lens
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Daniel Sturridge celebrates scoring a last-minute winner for England against Wales in LensCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Wales' heatmap from the England game, showing their territory throughout the game in Lens, with a lot of time spent defending their own 18 yard box
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Wales' heatmap from the England game, showing their territory throughout the game in Lens, with a lot of time spent defending their own 18 yard boxCredit: Opta

Wales were made to pay, though, for not clearing their lines in stoppage time as Liverpool ace Daniel Sturridge pounced to score a dramatic winner.

Coleman warned the Welsh stars that they won't have much time to feel sorry for themselves with a huge game against Russia on Monday.

He said: "A point would have been fantastic but they are very strong and well done to Roy and his subs.

"The two goals we gave away we were disappointed with. When you go into a game of that magnitude against a team with that quality, you have to do something special.

"The players are absolutely gutted but we cannot hang on to this because we have Russia next.

"If you are from Wales, everyone looked at this game, but for me it is the next one.

"We have a tough Russian team on Monday but we know if we get a result we are still in the tournament."

Coleman admired Roy Hodgson for the nature of his attacking substitutions,  bringing on three strikers in the second half as England went all-out for the win.

The ex-Fulham man added: "You have Vardy and Sturridge to bring on and the quality of Sterling and Kane coming off - but we knew about that before it started."

 The Group B table as it currently stands with England first and Wales second
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The Group B table as it currently stands with England first and Wales second
 Ashley Williams' downward header was played straight into Jamie Vardy's path before he scored
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Ashley Williams' downward header was played straight into Jamie Vardy's path before he scoredCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Wales players were distraught after England's late winner in Lens
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Wales players were distraught after England's late winner in LensCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Ashley Williams admitted Wales should have seen the result coming after France's thrilling win over Albania last night, with Les Bleus scoring two goals in stoppage time.

The Swansea captain said: "It hurts, it was close to another point but that's football and we have all felt like this before.

"You haven't done enough until the final whistle, we had seen late goals in this tournament. A little deflection and a snap shot, it's just one of those things really.

"We have already spoke, we know how much it hurts, we will re-group and will do something together as a group.

"We need to recover and make sure we go through as a group."

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