FINAL CURTAIN: Peter Shilton's last match for England (v Italy at Stadio San Nicola, 7 July 1990)

SYMPATHY for Robert Green may have been running low among England followers in the aftermath of the goalkeeper's blunder against the USA last weekend but among those offering commiseration rather than criticism would have been Peter Shilton.

England's record cap holder knows better than anyone that one blunder doth not a bad keeper make, his lengthy international career having been bookended by notable bloopers.

The first came in 1974 when a youthful Shilton was beginning to establish himself with England following an eye injury sustained by previous No1 Gordon Banks. Facing Poland at Wembley in a must-win World Cup qualifying match Shilton allowed a tame shot from Jan Domarski to slip under his body and England could only draw the game 1-1.

Shilton would later apologise for the mistake, saying he had been pre-occupied by trying to make "the perfect save" rather than simply keeping the ball out of the net. He would also later claim this was the only mistake he made over the course of his record breaking 125-game England career. This is not strictly true.

In his final appearance for his national side, the third place play-off defeat against the host nation at Italia 90, another uncharacteristic error would hand the Azzurri the advantage in what eventually ended in a 2-1 loss.

Dithering on the ball while dealing with a passback, Shilton was tackled and robbed of possession. The Italians expertly recycled the ball and the masterful Roberto Baggio lofted the ball into an unguarded net. David Platt's header brought England back level before Shilton was beaten for a final time courtesy of a penalty kick by golden boot winner Toto Schillaci.

Nevertheless, these errors were minor blips in what was a remarkable career. Shilton is today fondly recalled as England's greatest ever goalkeeper behind World Cup winner Banks. He found success at club level too, most notably with Brian Clough's legendary Nottingham Forest side with whom he won back-to-back European Cups. His professional career ended with Leyton Orient on the occasion of his 1,005th league appearance, aged 47.