CHAMPIONS TROPHY: Last-gasp win keeps England's medal hopes on track

RICHARD Smith's last-gasp goal kept England's medal hopes alive at the ABN AMRO Champions Trophy in Monchengladbach - and could yet have fired his side into the final in Germany.

AT THE DOUBLE: James Tindall bags two as England edge past New Zealand to keep their hopes alive (hockeyimages.co.uk)

Smith struck with just a minute to go to complete a thrilling 4-3 victory over New Zealand - England's second consecutive win by that scoreline - ensuring they will at least go for bronze.

England will now await the outcomes of Germany's match with the Netherlands and Australia's clash with Spain. 

 Wins for the Netherlands and Australia would catapult England into Sunday's final against the Kookaburras. 

A draw between Spain and Australia would also be enough for England so long as the Germans lose to the Dutch. 

Even without those results, England's men will follow in the footsteps of their female counterparts and contest the bronze medal playoff for the first time at a Champions Trophy in Sunday.

England assistant coach Bobby Crutchley said: "It wasn't pretty but it was a lot hotter today than it has been and I think that contributed to both sides playing a bit scrappily at times.

"We put ourselves under pressure but the guys fought hard again and got the victory, which is nice.  It will be nice not to be playing in the fifth/sixth playoff tomorrow."

James Tindall got England off to a flying start - breaking the deadlock inside a minute but the Black Sticks were level on seven minutes when Andy Hayward converted a penalty corner.

Simon Mantell restored England's advantage on 21 minutes and Tindall handed his side a two-goal cushion five minutes before the half-time interval.

But Hayward dragged New Zealand back into contention after the break and completed his hat-trick with just five minutes to go as England's hopes of a medal seemed to be going up in smoke - only for Smith to come to the rescue.