Ukraine battled back for a 2-1 win over Kazakhstan to keep up the pressure on Croatia in World Cup qualifying Group Six as the two teams battle it out for a likely second place behind England.

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Ukraine, missing captain Andriy Shevchenko and centre-back Oleksandr Kucher, fell behind in the 19th minute via a header from Tanat Nusserbayev.

The home side hit back through Serhiy Nazarenko, who curled in a free kick 14 minutes later.

It was Nazarenko who got the winner two minutes into the second half, driving the ball between the goalkeeper's legs.

England are the clear group leaders on 21 points with Croatia second on 11 points, now ahead of Ukraine only on goal difference. Belarus are in fourth place with nine points and a game in hand.

Europe's nine groups winners qualify automatically for the World Cup in South Africa in 2010 with the eight best runners-up going through to the play-offs.