Local heroes Steph Houghton and Lucy Bronze take England to World Cup quarter-final after 2-1 win over Canada

England's Lucy Bronze, centre, celebrates

Lucy Bronze’s superb winner fired England to their first ever knockout victory at a World Cup and through to a quarter-final against Canada on Saturday night.

The Lionesses will face the tournament’s hosts in Vancouver on Saturday after goals from captain marvel Steph Houghton and flying full-back Bronze saw England come from behind to beat Norway.

England trailed in the 54th minute after Solveig Gulbrandsen’s headed opener for Norway from a corner to the near post only for the two former Sunderland players to step up to the plate.

England's Steph Houghton celebrates. Pic: Sean Kilpatrick /The Canadian Press via AP)

South Hetton girl Houghton headed England level within seven minutes with a great goal past the Norway skipper.

And Pride of Northumberland Bronze stunned Norway with a 20-yard bullet 15 minutes from time for the winner after some neat build-up passes.

To complete the North-East connection to the England win, coach Mark Sampson sent on Jill Scott with the ex-Sunderland midfielder giving a virtuoso display as the Lionesses ran down the clock to perfection.

England now meet Canada in Vancouver at 00:30 BST on Sunday.