St Albans pair Hannah Macleod and Ellie Watton both started as Great Britain finished the pool stage of the World Hockey League Final with a morale-boosting 1-0 win over Australia.

Skipper Helen Richardson-Walsh grabbed the only goal in Rosario, Argentina, to leave GB third in Pool A, just behind China on goal difference.

It was a fine display by Danny Kerry’s side against a Hockeyroos outfit ranked number two in the world.

And after a defeat to Argentina and a draw against China, it was a result which will help boost the squad’s confidence.

The head coach said: “I felt we controlled the game, but Australia defended their corners really well which kept the score line close.

“Australia always carry a threat but we controlled large periods of the game.

“After the China game the team realised that the tactics worked, it just didn’t go for them in that game and that certainly helped their confidence tonight.”

Richardson-Walsh agreed saying: “We played with a lot more belief. We tried to do the same things in the first game but it just wasn’t clicking. Today we made the passes and it clicked.

“We have a pretty explosive side going forward and really skilful players and we had to get that working.”

Macleod had GB’s first sight of goal but the Tangerines star saw her shot, after a break through the middle, blocked.

Great Britain are next in action tomorrow (Wednesday) in the quarter finals.

Their opponents will be decided after Pool B is finalised today but is likely to be either New Zealand or Germany.