ODIHAM’S hockey star Alex Danson was seconds away from winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal, only to have it snatched away, as Australia scored a late equaliser and then won a penalty shoot-out.

Danson and her England side had given the reigning champions a real run for their money, as they found it hard to break them down.

Having done well to get to half-time at 0-0, England started to dominate after the break.

They took the lead after Susie Gilbert’s cross was helped on by Danson and Lily Owsley scored into the roof of the net.

The Australian battled back and were at the last chance saloon, as they were awarded a penalty corner in the final minute.

The tension grew even more intense, after the first one was blocked.

However, an England encroachment saw it taken again, and with 17 seconds left on the clock, Jodie Kenny found the back of the net.

This meant the gold medal was decided by a shoot-out and England, having won their semi-final in this fashion over New Zealand, were unable to repeat the feat.

Danson was one of the shooters not to score as Australia ran out 3-1 winners.

It was a bitterly disappointing way for England to lose, but a silver medal was an improvement on their bronze from Delhi.

Danson on her twitter account said: “We gave everything we had, devastated but I wouldn’t change a thing for moments like this. Our time will come #thankyou.”