Argentina 24-22 England
Argentina (14) 24
Tries: Leguizamon, Camacho Cons: Hernandez Pens: Hernandez 3 Drops: Hernandez
England (3) 22
Tries: Banahan Cons: Goode Pens: Goode 5
 Argentina's Juan Manuel Leguizamon scored the first try in Salta |
Argentina survived England's second-half fightback to level the series 1-1 in the second and final Test in Salta.
The Pumas scored after two minutes through Juan Manuel Leguizamon, while three Juan Martin Hernandez penalties gave Argentina a 14-3 half-time lead.
The hosts stretched clear with a converted try from wing Gonzalo Camacho before Andy Goode landed four kicks.
Hernandez responded with a drop-goal which proved the difference after Matt Banahan's converted late try.
England won the first 37-15 a week ago at Old Trafford but Martin Johnson's side suffered a disastrous start in the return match in Argentina when Dylan Hartley's wayward line-out throw was punished with a Pumas' try shortly after kick-off.
Hooker Mario Ledesma came up with the ball at the breakdown and fed Stade Francais number eight Leguizamon to charge over.
England hit back with a Goode penalty but the visitors' ill-discipline was punished as Hernandez stroked two penalties.
The Pumas' fly-half was exerting more influence with a mixture of kicking and off-loading and Argentina built a head of steam.
England went close through wing Banahan but the final pass was deemed forward, and the visitors squandered another chance to score when Goode missed a kick after a strong set of scrums from the pack earned another penalty.
Shortly after the break, the Pumas stretched clear when Horacio Agulla hit the line at pace, brushed off Goode and fed Camacho, who raced home.
Hernandez landed the conversion but England struck back with their most promising passage of play as Goode began to run the ball.
The pressure forced Argentina to concede three penalties which Goode sent over and England went close again, only for Agulla to prevent Tom May gathering a chip over the top.
Goode then landed a fifth penalty but Hernandez kept his side at arm's length with a drop-goal.
But with four minutes remaining, full-back Delon Armitage broke down the left wing and slipped a superb pass to Banahan, who fended off Francisco Leonelli to score under the posts.
Goode converted but England were unable to secure possession again to go for the win.
Argentina: Agulla, Leonelli, Tiesi, Fernandez, Camacho, Hernandez, Lalanne, Roncero, Ledesma, Ayerza, Alvarez, Albacete, Fessia, Leguizamon, Fernandez Lobbe.
Replacements: Amorosino for Leonelli (13).
Not Used: Basualdo, Orlandi, Carizza, Lozada, Vergallo, Avramovic.
England: D Armitage, Cueto, Hipkiss, May, Banahan, Goode, Care, Payne, Hartley, White, Borthwick, Deacon, Robshaw, S Armitage, Easter.
Not Used: Chuter, Wilson, Kay, Haskell, Hodgson, Vesty, Tait.
Ref: Alan Lewis (Ireland).
