Williams came close to scoring on two occasions, first heading just over the bar in the 26th minute and then hitting a free-kick just wide of the post from all of 30 yards in the 33rd minute.

But the only goal of the game came in the 37th minute when Leanne Champ mistimed a tackle to allow Italy's Moriac Placchi to slot the ball home from 8 yards.

Placchi made the most of Leanne Champ's mistimed tackle to score from eight yards on 37 minutes and she could have added a second in the last minute of the first half but was adjudged to be offside as she went close with a shot.

Just before half time Placchi almost doubled Italy's lead but she was adjudged to have been offside as she went dangerously close with a shot.

Coach, Hope Powell gave a chance to Everton's Kelly McDougall. McDougall - an England under-19 regular - replaced Vicky Exley in the right midfield role.

International debuts were also handed to Birmingham City's Laura Bassett and Charlton Athletic's Carmaine Walker as Powell brought on a number of subs.