And while Lancaster will know there is a lot of work to be done ahead of a trip to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome next week, he will take comfort from being the first England coach to win in Edinburgh since Sir Clive Woodward eight years ago.

For Andy Robinson, the pressure will be on after his experienced side lacked ideas and were unable to score a try despite bossing possession and territory, with David Denton the one bright spark.

England started the brighter, bullying their more experienced counterparts in the Scottish pack to edge the territory in the opening quarter.

Dan Parks, who endured a disappointing afternoon, made a first error as he put in an aimless punt after 12 minutes and Denton was penalised for not rolling away after tackling Ben Foden.

From just inside the Scottish half, and into a strong wind, Farrell put his first penalty attempt at international level wide to the right.

Shortly after Rory Lamont dropped a high ball from Hodgson and after David Strettle had pounced on the ball, Parks was penalised for venturing offside, and Farrell knocked over the resulting penalty to break the deadlock.

Scotland responded immediately and Chris Robshaw was penalised for diving off his feet giving Parks the chance to level things up after 25 minutes.

The home side were back on the attack two minutes later as Max Evans showed dancing feet to get away and Hodgson failed to claim his chip over the top giving Scotland a good attacking platform with a lineout on the 22.

Robinson's side couldn't capitalise but when Chris Ashton was scragged off the back of an English scrum seconds later, Parks added another penalty to give the Scots a 6-3 lead at the break.

Hodgson, who struggled under pressure in the first half, made the perfect start to the second as he charged down Parks' attempted clearance and dotted down England's first try at Murrayfield in eight years, Farrell added the extras to make it 10-6.

It was a costly mistake from Parks, who had been given the nod at fly-half over Laidlaw for his experience, and he compounded that error by missing touch from a penalty two minutes later.

England looked to be in for their second try as Hodgson produced a pinpoint cross to David Strettle but Denton made a stunning tackle on the Saracens winger, who held on to give away the penalty.

The match ebbed back and forth and Scotland moved back into English territory when Richie Gray went on a trademark charge but Alasdair Strokosch was unable to collect his offload.

Robinson rolled the dice by introducing Edinburgh pair Mike Blair and Laidlaw and the Scots instantly looked more dangerous with Ashton forced to clear Lee Jones' chip through.

And Laidlaw almost grabbed Scotland's first try as he chipped over and beat Ben Youngs to the ball but television match official Nigel Whitehouse ruled that he did not have control over the tryline.

Scotland should have scored a minute later as Ross Rennie burst past Brad Barritt but he could not find a free Laidlaw outside him as Foden produced a fantastic tackle but it was the home side who were looking by far the more dangerous.

Farrell missed another long-range penalty attempt and England made matters worse by coming in from the side to give Scotland a chance to get back into their 22 but another Scottish error left them off the hook.

The Saracens youngster made amends with six minutes to go as he calmly converted a penalty from straight in front, after good work from Matt Stevens, to stretch England's lead to 13-6.

Scotland attacked again but it was in vain as yet another mistake handed England the win.