London, Sep 6 (DPA) England warmed up for next week's World Cup qualifier against Croatia by beating Slovenia 2-1 in an international friendly at Wembley.

A controversial penalty, converted by Frank Lampard, and a goal from substitute Jermain Defoe were enough to give England victory Saturday.

Zlatan Ljubijankic pulled one back with a header five minutes from time but it was too little to prevent Fabio Capello's side from claiming victory.

England, with seven wins out of seven in their World Cup qualifying campaign, will need to step up their game against Croatia in midweek though after a largely unconvincing performance.

Slovenia were the better side early on and will consider themselves desperately unlucky to have gone behind when Rooney was awarded a penalty just after the half-hour mark.

The Manchester United striker appeared to pull the shirt of Bostjan Cesar before tumbling to the ground and the referee Jonas Eriksson of Sweden awarded a penalty, much to the shock of the Slovenia players.