England's Six Nations hopes are all but over after defeat to Wales in a Cardiff thriller that furthered the home side's hopes of completing the Grand Slam.
Eddie Jones had warned pre-game that it was a make-or-break showdown for his side and will have been furious with a familiarly self-destructive start.
England conceded three penalties inside the opening four minutes, the third of which enabled Dan Biggar to kick three points.
But inspired by a break from Daly that was taken on by Ben Youngs, they poured downfield and might have scored but for better support and they were forced to settle for a Farrell penalty.
Even before the second quarter had arrived, Jones’ men had conceded their fifth penalty and they were made to pay for a lack of concentration when Biggar launched the ball into the corner for Josh Adams to score.
Farrell’s protests were swatted aside by referee Pascal Gauzere and Biggar slotted the conversion.
Another three points from Farrell kept England in contention but they were continuing to suffer – at times unjustly – at the hands of Gauzere.
And there was no less controversy over Wales’ second try as Louis Rees-Zammit appeared to knock the ball on before Liam Williams gathered over the line, but the TMO was happy to approve Gauzere’s dubious on-field decision of a try.
Needing a touchdown to stop the deficit becoming insurmountable, England responded magnificently when Anthony Watson took Jamie George’s pass and powered through four home tacklers to score.
Farrell missed the conversion but was on target with an injury-time penalty as Wales entered half-time with a contentious 17-14 lead.
There was nothing spurious about Wales’ third try, however, as Jonny Hill gave away a mindless penalty by coming in at the side and Kieran Hardy tapped and went with an absent defence offering an easy opportunist score.
Once more Farrell kept England in contention with three points but they were chasing the game even while producing some of their best play of the tournament so far.
Wales had hustled their way into a commanding position and as the final quarter approached they were assisted by a dreadful kick by George Ford and Tom Curry clearing out from the side – yet another infringement.
But in the 63rd minute England drew level when Ben Youngs dummied his way over from close range and Farrell converted, in the process registering his 1,000th point in Test rugby.
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Callum Sheedy, on for Biggar, nudged Wales back in front with two penalties to set up a nail-biting finish in Cardiff with the home side building some momentum.
And England kept on gifting them control as another three penalties, this time from replacements, offered Sheedy a shot at goal that was successful to propel Wales out of reach.
Taulupe Faletau was named man of the match and there was time for one last try as Cory Hill powered over in the last minute with Sheedy converting to complete a 40-24 win.
