By Carl Markham, PA Sport

Scotland were beaten by an impressive golden goal winner from tournament top scorer Pietie Coetzee as South Africa won the fifth/sixth play-off at the Commonwealth Games.

With the brave Scots fighting back from 2-0 down to take the match into extra-time, they had a chance to snatch victory with a penalty corner in the third minute of the first added period.

However, it broke down and South Africa went to the other end where Coetzee produced a superb reverse-stick strike from the right of the D for a goal well worthy of deciding the match.

It was her second goal of the game and 10th of the tournament, although for long periods it appeared the Springboks were going to throw away a commanding lead for the second successive day.

Having been beaten 4-1 during the group stage by the South Africans, Scotland had an idea what to expect and it was no surprise that the Springboks took the lead from a penalty corner.

In the ninth minute, Coetzee's reverse-stick shot was well-saved by keeper Tracey Robb but Sophie Mayer popped up at the far post to nudge the ball over the line.

Alison Grant had a chance to put Scotland back on level terms when she robbed Lindsey Carlisle on the edge of the D, but with only the keeper to beat she blazed high and wide.

They were made to pay seconds later when South Africa won a penalty corner and Coetzee's drag flick bobbled under Robb.

However, they hit back with five minutes to go when Scotland won a penalty corner and Val Thomson slipped the ball to Emma Rochlin just outside the post and she swept under the body of goalkeeper Grazjyna Engelbrecht.

The second half saw the pace of the game drop as the persistent rain slowed down both the pitch and the players, but just as it looked as though the game was petering out Scotland struck an equaliser.

With 14 minutes remaining, Great Britain international Rhona Simpson followed in a shot to slide home and give her side renewed hope.

Scotland's number two goalkeeper Debbie McLeod then immediately made two good saves from Coetzee penalty corners.

However, Scotland pressed the self-destruct button as Kathryn Gray purposely allowed a Coetzee cross to pass her and Jennifer Wilson slid in unnoticed at the far post to put the South Africans ahead.

But a resilient Scotland took the game into extra-time, rather fortuitously, when a ball which appeared to be lifted into the circle was smacked home by Samantha Judge in the dying moments.

They had contained Coetzee since her opening goal, but she posed a consistent danger and it hardly came as a surprise when she lashed home the match-winner.

After the game Scotland coach Mike Gilbert refused to be downhearted.

"I am always pleased to come back into a game, particularly after yesterday," he said.

"Maybe if we had demonstrated a little bit more of that character yesterday we would have had a better day (against England).

"Quite possibly, at the end of 70 minutes a draw was fairly fair, particularly as we had not had a good start."