“THERE was not much to enjoy about it.”

That was Wayne Bennett’s verdict after his England side laboured to a 38-12 victory over minnows Scotland in the Four Nations double header at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena.

The result got England off the mark after last week’s agonising 17-16 defeat to New Zealand but the margin of victory, allied to Australia’s 14-8 win over the Kiwis, means they will not only need to beat the world champions in London next Sunday to reach the final but may need to beat them handsomely to overturn a points-difference deficit.

The size of that task – the score they’ll need - will become clearer after New Zealand’s match against Scotland on Friday night.

Said Bennett: “Just pleased with the win, that is all you can say about it.

"I want them to play to their ability and they were a way off that.

"For 20-25 minutes in the second half they were pretty good but they went back to old habits after that.”

He reckoned standards will improve against the Aussies, complacency a probable factor here, adding: “We weren’t good. Compared to last week, there was no comparison.”

They certainly started sloppily, dire for the first quarter, with Scotland deserving of their early lead.

Danny Brough was instrumental in creating it, making the play that sent Kane Linnett, the North Queensland Cowboy, crashing through, the video ref ruling out claims of obstruction.

They doubled that lead in amazing fashion.

Brough – the veteran half-back who was launched into Super League by York City Knights some 12 years ago - was again involved, before left-winger Matty Russell came up with an incredible finish in the corner.

It was so unbelievable the video ref took an age to believe it.

It was 27 minutes when England finally broke through, Luke Gale sending Elliott Whitehead in on a good angle. Gale converted.

The same combination then struck again – Gale’s miscued kick fortuitously bouncing for Whitehead on his shoulder - alleviating fears of a shock result, with Gale’s goal putting England 12-8 ahead.

Still, if Bennett’s men start like that against the Aussies next week, their Four Nations campaign will be over before half-time.

The introduction of the Burgess twins in midfield made a difference, helping to create tempo which continued into the second half as England at least made the game safe.

Big brother Sam almost extended the lead – six defenders needed to hold him up.

Mark Percival did do, George Williams the creator.

That pair were two of four changes to the side that lost by one point to New Zealand last week, in for Dan Sarginson and Gareth Widdop respectively. Scott Taylor and Liam Farrell were the others, in for John Bateman and the crocked James Graham.

Will Australia-based half-back Widdop be back to face the Aussies next week?

Well, Williams’ quick hands and perfect kick soon gave Ryan Hall one of the simplest of his 30 tries in 30 Test matches, Gale goaling. Indeed, Williams was later named man of the match. Gale won some votes too.

Williams’ opposite number, Brough, the star of the first half, was then sin-binned for preventing a quick play-the-ball with a headlock - a “harsh” call, according to Scotland boss Steve McCormack, and also costly.

Within seconds Jermaine McGillvary was over in the corner, Jonny Lomax with an excellent scoring pass.

Then Sam Burgess broke through from Chris Hill’s pass for Gale to cross and convert.

The 12 men almost struck back with a solo effort by Bradford’s Danny Addy, and again when up to 13, the left-side attack again causing England’s right-side defence problems.

Then they did do, second-row Dale Ferguson with a super overhead finish on 70 minutes, again down that left flank.

At least England had the last word, late pressure finally paying off with a seventh try, Farrell touching down a Williams kick and Gale goaling on the hooter.

For McCormack, the encounter proved his side deserved to be in the tournament.

For Bennett, lots of thinking to do before his team come up against his world champion countrymen.

England: Lomax, McGillvray, Watkins, Percival, Hall, Williams, Gale, Hill, Hodgson, Taylor, Farrell, Whitehead, S Burgess. Subs (all used: T Burgess, G Burgess, Cooper, Clark.

Scotland: Coote, Tierney, Aitken, Linnett, Russell, Brough, Addy, Walker, Hood, Douglas, Hellewell, Ferguson, Kavanagh. Subs (all used): Cassel, Mariano, Phillips, Brooks.

EARLY tries by Blake Ferguson and Johnathan Thurston, plus three Thurston goals, gave Australia their 14-8 victory over New Zealand. Solomone Kata and Jordan Rapana got the Kiwis' replies, with superb Aussie defence holding Shaun Johnson up over the try-line in the last minute.