Oxford United's James Constable suffered a frustrating evening as England were beaten 1-0 by Belgium in the final of the International Challenge Trophy at the Kassam Stadium.

Constable was unable to add to his season's total of 26 goals, 25 for the U's and one for his country, and he was booked in the second half.

Paul Fairclough's team fell to a quality goal on 64 minutes.

It came from Club Brugge's Brecht Capon, who turned sharply on the edge of the area, and then rifled a left-footed drive into the top right corner.

Substitute Liam Hearn had a good opportunity to equalise near the end, but seemed more intent on looking for a penalty than in trying to get a shot at goal ten yards out.

And right at the death, Ishmael Welsh's scrambled shot was cleared off the line.

Belgium, who were fielding their full Under 21 side, were technically very good, and in willing runner Capon, who was on his own up front, had someone who constantly stretched England's defence.

England, who had reached the final by topping a group that included Finland, Wales and Italy, never really played with the fluency they would have hoped for.

Torrential rain just before kick-off meant the surface was greasy at the start and a number of players slipped in the opening 20 minutes.

They included Belgium goalkeeper Simon Mignolet when Constable closed him down, but the keeper recovered just in time.

Stevenage duo Scott Laird and Joel Byrom both curled free-kicks narrowly wide from a few yards outside the area in the game's early stages.

England keeper Adam Bartlett saved from Capon just before the break, while at the other end, England had strong claims for a penalty turned down when Paul Clayton appeared to have his arm tugged on a run inside the box.

Russell Penn was close to breaking the deadlock on 59 minutes, but the ball bounced awkwardly for him and he could only direct his diving header upwards for Mignolet to save on the goalline.

Capon's superbly-taken goal on 64 minutes knocked the stuffing out of the England players, but Belgium were worthy winners on the night.

England C: Bartlett (unatt); Densmore (Altrincham), Geohaghan (Kettering), Charles (Ebbsfleet), Laird (Stevenage) (replaced by Newton (Droylsden) 76); Penn (Kidderminster) (replaced by Welsh (Grays) 77), Wroe (Torquay Utd), Byrom (Stevenage) (replaced by Fleming (Wrexham) 56), Tomlin (Rushden); Constable (Oxford Utd), Clayton (Alfreton) (replaced by Hearn (Alfreton) 69). Sub not used: Cronin (Ebbsfleet).

Belgium: Mignolet; Kitoko (Lella 85), Dachelet, Biemans (Kage 90), Cabeke; Villano, Kurns, Odjidja Ofoe, Nainggolan, Mujangi Bia; Capon (De Wilde 86). Subs not used: Coppens, Van Gijseghem, Coppin.

Referee: Mark Whitby (Wales).

England players booked: Tomlin, Constable.

Att: 2,842.