After England's World Cup penalty shoot-out woes there was more spot-kick misery when the Everton midfielder Fara Williams wasted the chance to give Hope Powell's team victory against the only team capable of finishing ahead of them in their Euro 2013 qualifying group and so take Group Six's one guaranteed place at the finals in Sweden.
Williams, who six years ago scored from the spot on the same FC Zwolle ground to give England a 1-0 victory that helped them qualify for the 2007 World Cup, woefully under-hit her 50th-minute penalty, allowing Loes Geurts to make a comfortable save.
If England had won, however, it would not have been deserved because Powell's team had been on the back foot for much of a game that was played on an artificial surface relatively new to the stadium. "We came to try to win the game butwe're happy that we're not going away having lost it," Powell said. "We were unfortunate with the penalty and defensively we had to work hard but in the end I was pleased with a point from a well-fought contest."
Holland had gone into the game firmly holding the initiative after hammering Serbia 6-0 following England's disappointing draw with the same opponents. Both sides had since won once, England against Slovenia and the Dutch beating Croatia, giving the Dutch a two-point advantage.
What was also perceived as a potential advantage last night was the playing surface, Holland having previously played on the 3G pitch, while this was England's first match on the surface. But Powell's players looked as comfortable as their hosts in an opening spell that brought no danger to either goal but until the home side began to press, the striker Manon Melis becoming a constant menace.
Twice before the interval Melis went close to scoring, but then came England's chance to take the lead following a trip on Williams by Geurts, who was booked for the offence before diving to her left to save the midfielder's spot-kick.
Buoyed by the let-off, Holland mounted a series of fierce attacks and after Melis had an angled drive stopped by Karen Bardsley, the keeper had to brilliantly turn over the bar a curling 25-yard shot by the left winger Lieke Martens.
The closing stages brought more close calls for England, but they held on to extend their unbeaten record in qualifying matches for major tournaments to 29 games over nine years. If they are to finish top of this qualifying group, however, they will almost certainly have to beat Holland at home in June. "It was important we didn't lose this game, and the group is still very much open," Powell said. "It's all to play for."