Glasgow: England women`s hockey team secured their place in the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games with a hard-fought 2-1 win over hosts Scotland on Wednesday.

A last four encounter with either India or South Africa now awaits England on Friday for a place in the gold medal match.

With both teams having already beaten Malaysia and Wales and lost to gold medal favouries Australia, second place in Group B was on the line.

Alexa Danson and Susannah Townsend had given England the perfect start as they marched into a 2-0 lead after 27 minutes.

However, Scotland rallied before half-time when Nikki Kidd slammed home a penalty corner and the home side could have provided a sensational comeback in the second-half had it not been for England keeper Maddie Hinch as she made a string of fine saves.

Despite their best efforts, though, Scotland couldn`t find an equaliser and will have to settle for a place in the fifth-place playoff on Friday.