Argentina have held off a battling England second-half fightback to claim a 24-22 victory in their rugby Test.

The win came just a week after the Pumas slumped to a 37-15 defeat to Martin Johnson's team, who were missing several top players on duty with the British and Irish Lions, in Manchester.

Argentina were 14-3 ahead at the break on Saturday, thanks to a second-minute try from No.8 Juan Manuel Leguizamon and three penalties from the reliable boot of Juan Martin Hernandez.

That lead was extended to 21-3 with a try from wing Gonzalo Camacho which was converted by Hernandez.

England fly-off Andy Goode steadily trimmed the deficit to 21-15 with four more penalties before a Hernandez drop-goal gave the Pumas valuable breathing space.

But England made sure the hosts endured a nervous last five minutes when fullback Delon Armitage broke down the left and released winger Matt Banahan, who fended off Francisco Leonelli to score under the posts.

Goode converted but the Pumas hung on for the victory.

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