BLACKBURN Rovers goalkeeeper Frank Fielding made several key saves for England Under-21s in their friendly clash with Italy in Empoli.
But he could not stop the only goal of the game – a late penalty from Manchester United striker Federico Macheda.
Substitute Niccolo Giannetti ran in behind Manchester City defender Ben Mee, who clearly brought down the striker and was promptly shown a red card, with Macheda beating Fielding from the spot.
The only clear-cut chance of the first half fell to Ciro Ferrara's Italy as Gianvito Misuraca found space behind the England defence but Fielding got down well to push his shot around the post.
With an hour gone, Pearce, who celebrated his fourth anniversary as manager on Sunday, made a triple substitution, giving debuts to Burnley's Jay Rodriguez plus Jonny Howson and Alex Chamberlain.
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