England out in a blaze of attack

All-out attack was England's weapon of choice against Australia in the Women's World Cup yesterday but it was not quite enough to defeat the defending champions in their Perth stronghold.

England's best performance of the tournament produced an exciting game of flowing hockey and, but for a missed penalty stroke and a disallowed late goal, the result could have been very different.

Tricia Heberle, the coach, had nothing but praise for her battered and dejected players, whose chance of being the first England side to make the semi-finals in this competition disappeared with the final hooter.

"We gave it our absolutely top effort and we were firing on all cylinders," said the Western Australian-born Heberle.

"We just decided that we had nothing to lose. We didn't want to walk away not knowing what was possible."

The approach appeared to have paid dividends when England - cheered on by the Barmy Army, who had just witnessed another miserable day of cricket - won an 11th-minute penalty stroke. But Jane Smith's shot was saved and Australia seized the initiative from a penalty corner and moved further ahead just before half-time.

England lost two players to the sin-bin in the second half but Leisa King thought she had given England late hope until the "goal" was disallowed. Replays suggested it should have stood but England's chance had gone.