The visitors almost made their early dominance count on 15 minutes when Wayne Rooney flashed a volley over the crossbar after some patient build-up involving Jack Wilshere.

Rooney was in the thick of the action again moments later, but he failed to connect with Leighton Baines's cross from close range before Fabian Delph fired over.

Roy Hodgson's side cranked up the pressure during the final 10 minutes of the first half, with Wilshere and Adam Lallana both coming close.

Wayne Rooney of England is pursued by Karol Mets of Estonia during the EURO 2016 Qualifier match between Estonia and England at A. Le Coq Arena on October 12, 2014 © Getty Images

Wilshere's effort went agonisingly wide on 35 minutes, while Lallana was inches away from heading in Danny Welbeck's cross a minute later.

England conjured up one final chance in first-half stoppage time, but Jordan Henderson's speculative volley was easily held by goalkeeper Sergei Pareiko.

Estonia's task was made more difficult four minutes into the second half when captain Ragnar Klavan was sent off after being shown a second yellow card for a foul on Delph.

While England were vibrant during the first period, they struggled to reach a similar level after the break as some poor decision-making in the final third let them down.

Wayne Rooney of England celebrates after scoring the opening goal from a free kick during the EURO 2016 Qualifier match between Estonia and England at A. Le Coq Arena on October 12, 2014 © Getty Images

However, they finally opened the scoring with 17 minutes remaining as Rooney curled the ball in from a free kick after substitute Raheem Sterling had been fouled.

Both teams failed to create much in the final third following the goal, though Sterling made the goalkeeper work late on when his deflected effort had to be kept out.