England slip to late defeat to the Netherlands

ENGLAND head coach Jason Lee accused his side of taking their eye off the ball as the Netherlands snatched victory at the death in Seville, Spain.

ON TARGET: Matt Daly bagged England's second against the Netherlands but could not stop his side crashing to defeat (Getty Images)

Lee's men roared back from two goals down, courtesy of strikes from Nick Catlin, Matt Daly and a third from IHF World Young Player of the Year Ashley Jackson handed England the lead.

But Rogier Hofman restored parity with nine minutes remaining before Jeroen Hertzberger grabbed his second of the match in the final minute to seal a 4-3 win.

"I'm pleased with the performance although obviously disappointed that sloppy play at the beginning and at the death have cost us the result," Lee said.

In the first of two matches England must play against the Netherlands in Seville, Spain, there were times when England dominated, but defensive lapses at the beginning and the end of the match ultimately cost them dearly.

England's slow start allowed the Netherlands' play-maker Hertzberger to break the deadlock after just two minutes, followed by another from Teun de Nooijer on 28 minutes.

But Loughborough University student Catlin had his second in international colours on the half-hour mark and Daly notched his 40th for his country 18 minutes later.

Jackson completed the turn around on 58 minutes but a late lapse in concentration saw Hofman and a second from Hertzberger condemn England to a cruel late defeat.