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England Under-21's have failed to progress from the group stage of the Under-21 European Championships after a 2-1 defeat to Czech Republic.
Stuart Pearce's youngsters required three points to overhaul their opponents, and looked set to do so as Danny Welbeck broke the deadlock on 76 minutes.
Needing only a draw, the Czechs upped their game after falling behind and were on equal terms again on 89 minutes as substitute Jan Chramosta poked in from close range.
As Pearce's side looked to regain the lead, the Czechs capitalised on leaks in their defence and former Tottenham player Tomas Pekhart tapped in a late winner to condemn England's fate.
England needed a dramatic improvement on their opening two draws against Spain and Ukraine to avoid crashing out of the competition, especially playing a side who had been unbeaten in qualifying.
There was certainly more of an attacking shape about Pearce's line-up, with Daniel Sturridge and Cleverley taking up advanced positions.
Slow start
After a slow start, a lovely interchange of passes was finished by Sturridge in the eighth minute but the flag was already up.
Sturridge released Danny Welbeck three minutes later but the striker's fizzing drive was too close to Tomas Vaclik.
England needed a brilliant save from Frankie Fielding to avoid falling behind in the 17th minute, the goalkeeper tipping over Marecek's dipping half-volley from Kozak's knockdown.
The Czechs then enjoyed a brief spell of possession but when England got the ball back, they put together their best move of the tournament, Cleverley volleying Ryan Bertrand's cross into the sidenetting.
Neither side really imposed themselves for the remainder of the half until the 41st minute, when Sinclair cut inside from the left and unleashed a blistering drive tipped over by Vaclik.
England badly needed some inspiration and Sturridge tried to provide it when he chipped a 40-yard free-kick just over the bar.
That was just a taster as the breakthrough finally arrived 14 minutes from time.
Opener
A decent spell of possession culminated in a brilliant inswinging cross from the right from Sturridge, with Welbeck bulleting a header past the flailing Vaclik.
Marc Albrighton replaced Cleverley and Lansbury almost settled the contest when he drilled a free-kick narrowly wide.
Marek Suchy was booked for a blatant body check on Welbeck, who could have had a second after a goalmouth scramble.
With their own semi-final dream on the line, the Czechs made a desperate double substitution and one of the newcomers, Jan Chramosta, did nod wide.
England, who threw on Danny Rose for Sinclair late on, looked like holding out but disaster struck in the 90th minute.
Marcel Gecov was allowed to carry the ball into the box and his cross took a wicked deflection off Welbeck, allowing Chrasmosta to lift the ball over Fielding.
England might have had a stoppage-time penalty when Sturridge was brought down but the flag was already up for offside.
And their misery was complete with the final kick of the game when Pekhart, another substitute, converted Chramosta's cross.
