ANDREW Flintoff is backing his beaten England side to rediscover the spirit of 2005 and bounce back from an opening Test defeat to mount a competitive Ashes challenge.

Just 14 months ago England responded to a crushing defeat by Australia at Lord's to rally magnificently and win the Ashes for the first time since 1986-7.

That same scenario faces the tourists once again after they stumbled to a resounding 277-run defeat at the Gabba, slipping to 370 all out before lunch after resuming the final day 354 runs adrift on 293-5.

It leaves England needing to recover quickly before the second Test starts at Adelaide on Friday, but captain Flintoff (above) believes there is enough experience from 14 months ago to achieve that type of fightback.

"We're disappointed we've gone 1-0 down, but there are some characters in that room and some really tough lads," claimed the Lancashire all-rounder.

"As disappointed as we are, we can't mope around and sit around thinking too much. We've got to learn from it, obviously, but there are four games to go."