England are on course to fall to second place in World Cup qualification Group H after entering the break at Wembley in a stalemate with Montenegro.
One of the Three Lions' closest rivals for top spot, Ukraine, have secured a home 1-0 victory over Poland which sees them, as it stands, frontrunners for an automatic place to Brazil 2014.
Roy Hodgson's attack-minded side were on the front foot for most of the opening period in London, with debutant Andros Townsend a lively presence on the right flank.
He created England's best chance of the first 45 minutes, when the rebound from his low shot was parried into the path of Wayne Rooney, who could not squeeze the ball inside the post from six yards.
That opportunity aside, the hosts were largely limited to efforts from range and Steven Gerrard twice forced Montenegro goalkeeper Vukasin Poleksic into smart low stops.
A fine block from Stefan Savic ensured that the visitors would survive until the break on level terms, as the former Manchester City defender threw his body in the way of Daniel Sturridge's goal-bound flick.
