Germany cling on as late GB comeback not enough in Nottingham

GREAT Britain ran out of time against Olympic champions Germany, who inflicted Jason Lee's men's first defeat of the International Men's Four Nations Tournament in Nottingham.

MARAUDING RUN: Great Britain’s Simon Mantell is shadowed by Germany’s Pitt Arnold during Germany’s 3-2 victory over GB in Nottingham on Wednesday (Ady Kerry/GB Hockey)

Goals from Oskar Deeke and Moritz Furste handed the world silver medallists a commanding 2-0 lead but Simon Mantell gave Great Britain hope by responding just before the half-interval.

Tobias Lietz restored Germany's two goal advantage but Ashley Jackson netted his 11th goal in GB colours with six minutes remaining to ensure a frantic finale.

And despite laying siege to the German goal, Great Britain could find no way through - but head coach Jason Lee could still find the positives from his youthful side's performance.

"Our play was a bit disjointed today, with some good and bad phases," he said. 

"There were positives though with the younger players getting another chance to play, particularly Harry Martin and Andy Bull."

Germany's early pressure finally told on 27 minutes when Deeke provided the finishing touch to a diagonal pass, diving to convert from the penalty spot.

And the lead was doubled when Furste coolly slotted home a penalty stroke after Christoph Menke had his stick checked on 31 minutes.

Mantell gave Great Britain hope rounding off a flowing move, but eight minutes after the break Lietz powered home to restore the visitors' two-goal cushion.

Jackson, the World Young Player of the Year, fired Great Britain back into the match with his trademark drag flick from a penalty corner to set up a grandstand finish.

Great Britain applied the pressure and as the hooter went the hosts were awarded a penalty corner. Another two ensued as the tension mounted by at the third attempt the German defence foiled Jackson and the comeback was not completed.