Morocco.................0

England....................1

IF the defection of Andy Goram is a serious disappointment at a crucial time for Scotland's World Cup hopes, the news from Casablanca last night was a lot more encouraging. The 1-0 win by England over Morocco, who face Craig Brown's men in their final game of Group A next month, indicated that the Africans have enough problems of their own to boost confidence in the Tartan Army camp.

Any of the troops watching, courtesy of satellite TV, would be able to sleep much more comfortably after having seen a relatively ordinary English display prove too much for the side much touted as the best in Africa.

With Paul Gascoigne virtually anonymous, the England side had to rely on a superb piece of oppor-tunism by the 18-year-old Liverpool prodigy Michael Owen, who struck with great composure in 59 minutes to give his country the lead that proved decisive in the King Hassan II Cup match before 80,000 noisy fans.

Owen, brought on after 25 minutes as a substitute for Ian Wright, who suffered a strained hamstring and could now be a doubtful candidate for Glenn Hoddle's final squad, had been close to being knocked out of contention himself, literally, when he was involved in a crunching collision with the Moroccan keeper that left him concussed for a brief spell.

His pace, perhaps surprisingly, knowing the athleticism of the African team, caused problems for the Moroccan back four and prompted Sky TV summariser Trevor Francis, the former Rangers striker, to suggest that Scotland, too, could take full advantage of this vulnerability.

Said Francis: ''With players like Kevin Gallacher and Gordon Durie, Scotland could make pace tell against them, and I am sure they will be encouraged by what they see of this game. Morocco have been a big disappointment for me.''

Bearing in mind always that this was the preparation and not the real thing, Francis' view seems reasonable.

Although the Africans had far more attempts at goal than the English, as much as four times as many, they were insipid efforts which caused keeper Tim Flowers hardly a blink, with the exception of a good header near the end.

The plus points of Morocco that have to be emphasised are their good control and technique, their fitness, and the outstanding qualities of attacking defender, Saber.

Otherwise, the temperament that sinks close to depression when they go a goal behind and the lack of penetration as shown last night are pointers to allow the Scots to believe that, if a win is required to secure a place in the second round, the prospects are not too bad.

The goal that settled the game, played in some heat but for a short spell also in unexpected rain, was made by Owen's team- mate at Anfield, Steve McManaman. He had looked uncomfortable in a left-midfield role before the break, but much happier afterwards as he played wider, and he got the break of the ball that led to the goal.

His pass forward was seized by Owen, who flew out of the reach of the hard-tackling Moroccan defender, Youssef Rossi, and slipped the ball past keeper Driss Bezekrit.

It was a goal that thrilled the English . . . and did a fair amount for Scottish confidence into the bargain. Even so, Hoddle was left with as many World Cup questions as answers.

Wright, who stopped suddenly as he pulled a hamstring midway through the first half, will give the England manager many a worrying moment before he decides his final line-up.

However, the bonus was that, if he needed any further convincing of Owen's calibre, it came just before the hour with that goal, as the switch to 4-4-2 produced a more enterprising and purposeful display.

And, if there was any doubt about Owen's maturity, that surely settled the argument. Hoddle, who is reputedly not a fan of the 4-4-2 strategy, will have to concede that his team looked so much more content after the change to that system.

Brazil have managed to cope rather well playing in that fashion, and on a lower plane, Arsenal have had success with it, too. For Hoddle, perhaps the display of Darren Anderton was as encouraging even as that of Owen

Gascoigne, presumably given instructions to conserve himself, lasted the 90 minutes, but missed a couple of late chances to clinch England's victory.

Given the same chances Scotland, hopefully, will not make the same mistakes.

In the other match in the Moroccan tournament, a goal after 64 minutes from midfield player Zinedine Zidane gave France a 1-0 success against Belgium.