England held to draw by Spain

Men's Champions Trophy
Venue: Monchengladbach, Germany Dates: 31 July - 8 August
Coverage: Match reports and highlights on the BBC Sport website

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Mackay's double strike put England in a strong position

England missed out on a win in their second game of the Champions Trophy after a late equaliser from Spain.

Goals from captain Glenn Kirkham and Iain Mackay put England 2-0 up after only five minutes.

Spain fought back in the second half with a Pau Quemada penalty corner and a strike from Miquel Delas levelling it.

Mackay struck again to edge England in front on 54 minutes but a spectacular backhand shot from Gabriel Dabanch seven minutes from time ensured a draw.

England came into the game after a 4-2 defeat to hosts Germany in their opening game on Saturday and will next face defending champions Australia on Tuesday.

The tournament is international hockey's third most prestigious event behind the World Cup and the Olympics.

Kirkham got his side off to the best possible start with a rasping shot past Spanish goalkeeper Francisco Cortes in the third minute.

Two minutes later, Rob Moore squared the ball to Mackay who slid in at the back post and knocked the ball over the line to see him become the 500th goalscorer in Champions Trophy history.

England used the team referral in the 19th minute when Adam Dixon asked the umpire to refer what looked to be the ball hitting Andres Mir's leg in his own circle.

The video replays showed Dixon was correct and England were awarded a penalty corner but from the corner, Cortes pulled off a fantastic save with his stick, tipping Ashley Jackson's powerful flick round the post high to his right.

606: DEBATE Your views on the action in Monchengladbach

England found themselves on the back foot as the second half began with Spain pressing hard to get themselves back into the game.

Quemada gave them hope with his 11th Champions Trophy goal, putting the ball high into the top left corner, well out of the reach of goalkeeper James Fair.

Within three minutes Spain were level. Under pressure, Richard Smith conceded a penalty corner, Spain's sixth, and Delas deflected Roc Oliva's shot over Fair and into the net.

But no sooner had Spain equalised than England retook the lead through Mackay. Jackson's waist-high shot cut through the Spanish defence and was steered home by the Reading player in front of goal.

Spain appealed to the video umpire, claiming Jackson's initial shot had been dangerous but the video umpire ruled the goal should stand.

Simon Mantell then forced a good save from Cortes but Dabanch had the final say after he unleashed a powerful straight reverse stick strike that flew low inside the post.

England assistant coach Bobby Crutchley said: "We're disappointed with the final result having been in the lead. There were spells of good hockey from us but we didn't play consistently throughout the game and Spain punished our errors.

"Australia have got the ability to score a number of goals in a short space of time, which is something we'll have to be wary of. They're the team to beat at the moment and it'll be a challenge but one we're looking forward to."

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