Johnson said: “We have got the result but we were not happy with the performance. We were not as clinical as we wanted to be.

“I was biting my fingernails for a bit in second half there and I'm glad to get the win.”

Williams kicked an early penalty to put the visitors in front before two Toby Flood penalties gave England a 6-3 lead in a frustrating first half.

England will regret a missed chance for Ben Foden as the Northampton full-back was forced into touch just short of the tryline and team-mate Chris Ashton was also denied a try for a forward pass from Shontayne Hape.

The second half began in the worst possible fashion as replacement Joe Tekori turned over Hape and, with the English defence stretched, Paul Williams dived over on the left. He failed to convert but the visitors still led 8-6.

The hosts responded almost immediately as Banahan finally managed to score England’s first try when Hape released Chris Ashton who threw an inside pass for the Bath man to go over.

Banahan almost added another but he was called back after Mark Cueto had put a foot in touch.

Flood added two more penalties to give England some breathing space before Tom Croft scored after good work from Banahan and Danny Care to put England 26-8 up.

Samoa had the final word when Otto went over after concerted pressure, but it was too little too late the visitors.