Wayne Rooney equals Sir Bobby Charlton's goalscoring record by scoring his 49th England goal from the penalty spot in the Euro 2016 qualifier in San Marino.

Wayne Rooney has equalled Sir Bobby Charlton's England goalscoring record with his 49th international goal as England had to settle for a 2-0 lead at the break in the Euro 2016 Group E qualifier against San Marino in Serravalle.

Roy Hodgson made nine changes to the side that beat Slovenia in their last game in June, and the visitors struggled to settle into their stride in the early stages on a dreadful playing surface.

However, they had the lead on 12 minutes when Rooney converted from the spot after the referee harshly called up Marco Berardi for pulling the shirt of John Stones in the penalty area.

Wayne Rooney of England scores the opening goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier between San Marino and England at Stadio Olimpico on September 5, 2015 © Getty Images

The captain could have become his country's outright leading scorer by netting a second eight minutes later, but home goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini beat his effort away after he had turned his marker and James Milner was unable to convert the rebound.

Milner then saw a tame effort bobble wide as England looked for a second against the group's bottom side, before Simoncini did well to beat Rooney to a through-ball and deny Jamie Vardy the chance of a goal on his first start for the Three Lions.

England did double their advantage on the half-hour mark thanks to an own goal, San Marino's third in consecutive meetings with England, when Cristian Brolli got his head to Luke Shaw's drilled cross ahead of Rooney but could only divert the ball into his own net.

Wayne Rooney of England celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier between San Marino and England at Stadio Olimpico on September 5, 2015 © Getty Images

As England pressed to extend their advantage, Stones came close to a third when his header from Milner's corner just lacked the power to beat Simoncini for his first international goal.

On the stroke of half-time Simoncini pulled off a wonderful reaction save to deny Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain when the Arsenal midfielder smashed an effort towards the near post, as England had to settle for two at the whistle.