England Under-21s 0 Czech Republic Under-21s 0:Leroy Lita missed a late penalty as England Under-21s drew a blank against the Czech Republic in their opening match of the European Championships.
David Nugent and Kieran Richardson missed England's best chances in open play of the Group B opener in Arnhem, and a first defeat since 2005 looked possible when the Czechs hit the woodwork and created chances on the break.
The Czechs had the first genuine chance at the Gelredome, when indecision in the England midfield led to Frantisek Rajtoral playing through Jan Kysela, with Scott Carson needing to save with his legs on his return from seniors duty in Estonia.
England then settled into their 4-5-1 formation that was deployed by Peter Taylor during qualification and kept by Pearce for the finals when Taylor concentrated on club matters at Crystal Palace.
Skipper Nigel Reo-Coker fired a drive over the crossbar before almost getting on the end of a Nugent cross after the Preston striker had made progress on the left.
Nugent then had a shot saved himself, stumbling as he volleyed towards goal after a long ball from Leighton Baines had been held up by James Milner.
Czech Republic remained a threat on the counter-attack and Gary Cahill, deputising for Anton Ferdinand after the West Ham centre-back failed to recover from a groin problem, had to throw himself in front of a Kysela shot to block his effort.
Cahill went into the ref's book early in the second period for a rash challenge, with both sides then going close as they looked to break the deadlock.
Richardson missed a header from point-blank range after Milner's cross had been flicked on by Nugent, while Lubos Husek went on a charging run through the middle before playing Martin Fillo through on goal but the substitute cleared Carson's crossbar.
Carson was then required to acrobatically tip Daniel Pudil's free-kick onto the post, with the pace of the game increasing slightly.
Pearce brought on Wayne Routledge for Richardson, and then changed the shape of the team by bringing on Lita for Milner and playing with two strikers.
Ashley Young, who had just been booked for a trip near his own penalty area, tried to make an impression at the other end but his cross was deflected behind for a corner after an exciting run on the left.
Nugent was gifted a chance to open the scoring with 19 minutes left when Husek misplaced a pass, but the England striker flashed wide after running through on goal.
Mark Noble was brought on for Tom Huddlestone, with England getting their chance for the winner from the penalty spot with three minutes remaining. Roman Hubnik handled in the area, but Lita flashed wide from 12 yards.
