England averted a possible World Cup humiliation by scraping to an unconvincing, four-wicket win over Bangladesh to retain a tenuous hold on their hopes of progressing in the tournament.

Successive defeats by Sri Lanka and Australia left England needing to win their remaining three matches to have any hope of qualifying for the semi-finals for the first time since 1992.

They had hoped to make a statement and show the rest of the tournament they could emerge as challengers after all by overcoming Bangladesh, the weakest of the Test teams still remaining in the competition.

But instead of producing a confident display to give South Africa, their opponents next Tuesday at the Kensington Oval, plenty to think about, they just about edged home after a nervy chase of Bangladesh's modest 143.

It took the composure of Paul Collingwood and Paul Nixon to finally see England home with 5.1 overs remaining after they had slipped to a perilous 110 for six, with left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique claiming two wickets in an over.

Unlike Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand, who all cruised to victory against Bangladesh, England almost became the third major scalp for Test cricket's newest nations following their shock victories over India and South Africa during the tournament.

England looked to have done all the hard work by dismissing Bangladesh for a modest total after they struggled to cope with the extra pace and bounce offered by the pitch.

England's seamers tore through Bangladesh's line-up after captain Michael Vaughan won the toss and decided to bowl.

Using regular short balls as a potent weapon, they reduced Bangladesh to 65 for six.

But a stubborn, 47-run stand between all-rounder Saqibul Hasan, who top-scored with an unbeaten 57, and Mashrafe Mortaza allowed Bangladesh to reach a more respectable total.

It should not have troubled England, but they approached their reply with no urgency.

Their cause was not helped by Ian Bell falling for a duck in the fourth over while Vaughan's struggles with the bat continued despite top-scoring with a scratchy 30 off 59 balls.

None of the top order were convincing with Andrew Strauss falling lbw to Rasel playing across the line and Kevin Pietersen chipping to mid-wicket.