CRAIG Stanley was on the losing side as the England National Game XI crashed to a 3-1 defeat to the Irish League in a friendly on Tuesday.

Morecambe's midfield general, now a regular in Paul Fairclough's England side, was powerless to prevent the Three Lions crashing at Mourneview Park.

Gary Hamilton, Paul McAreavey and David Scullion scored for the Irish as Paul Benson of Dagenham and Redbridge scored the England consolation.

To complete a bad night, Stevenage's Steve Morison - who has plundered five goals in three games against the Shrimps this season - missed a penalty.