Ukraine lost ground on England after dropping their first points of the campaign in a goalless draw at home to Croatia.

The hosts had started the game level on six points with England but are now two points behind after their Group Six rivals strolled to a 5-1 victory over Kazakhstan earlier in the day.

A point will be even more disappointing for Croatia, who lost 4-1 to England at home in their last match and are now three points behind Ukraine and only one above Belarus who have a game in hand.

Ukraine were facing their first major challenge in their qualifying campaign after beating Belarus and Kazakhstan in their first two games.

Eager to prove they are legitimate contenders for a place in South Africa 2010 they started the brighter and could have gone ahead just after the half-hour mark.

The ever-dangerous Andriy Shevchenko - who had already been thwarted several times by Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa - dribbled his way through before putting a cross into the box which Denys Golaydo fired narrowly wide.

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic must have given his players an earful at half time as they were a different side after the restart.

The visitors had one of the best chances of the match five minutes into the second half when Ivica Olic sent a header crashing off the crossbar.

Luka Modric went even closer nine minutes from time as he forced Ukraine goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov into a fine fingertip save.

The result means Croatia should move level on points with Ukraine when they host Andorra on Wednesday, as Ukraine's next match is not until April when they travel to England.