By Carl Markham, PA Sport

Hockey in England descended into farce when a controversial golden goal winner for India in the women's final resulted in complete chaos at the showpiece event.

The Indians scored from a penalty corner as the hooter sounded for the end of the opening period of extra-time to record their first victory over England.

New Zealand umpire Lyn Farrell appeared to blow her whistle for the end of the action as Mamta Kharab forced the ball over the line.

Farrell then signalled 'no goal' but following a consultation with colleague Julie Ashton-Lucy and intervention from the technical delegates bench she changed her mind and awarded the goal.

There then followed arguments and finger-pointing before England lodged an appeal against the decision - which was rejected - followed by a second protest before, some 90 minutes later, that objection was withdrawn "for the good of the sport".

It left England with a silver medal, exactly what they achieved in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, four years ago.

Coach Tricia Heberle said: "England are the host nation and we were not prepared to lose dignity by fighting over a medal.

"We made a decision in the spirit of the Games and the sport is always bigger than the team.

"It is hard to put into words the emotions of how the game ended.

"We should have won the match in regulation time but I still feel particularly proud."

Confusion reigned because it appeared no-one knew what the rules were. A penalty corner has to be allowed to be completed even if time runs out.

But in the pressure situation Farrell seemed unsure of what to do and waved her arms across her body suggesting the goal had been ruled out, sparking chaotic scenes which will have done little for the sport's image.

Midfielder Mandy Nicholson, England's most experienced player with 223 caps, said: "We just feel a bit robbed.

"But at the end of the day we have to look at this as an achievement - a silver medal again is a really good medal to win and we have to accept what happened.

"We felt that it was an open play situation because they took the corner with seven seconds to go and the ball hadn't crossed the line.

"The umpire blew her whistle for time and when I went over to check she indicated to me that it was not a goal and I said 'fine' and went over to the bench.

"It was the cruellest way that the game could end. We would rather not have had the controversy."

Co-captain Sarah Blanks, whose mother died a few weeks ago following a long battle against a brain tumour, fought back the tears at the end.

"I feel gutted, proud and disappointed. We were a good team but it didn't go our way today," said Blanks, who was watched by her father and sister.

"I'm sure mum is looking down and she is very proud. I was willing her to hang on (for the Games) but it just didn't happen.

"But I'm very privileged and proud to have had this opportunity."

England produced a spirited fightback after they had gone 2-0 down in the first half thanks to penalty corner goals from Mamta and Sita Gussain.

Blanks gave them a lifeline just 40 seconds before the end of the half when Anna Bennett's reverse-stick shot looped off goalkeeper Tingongleima Kshetrimayum.

And Helen Grant deflected in Jane Smith's 45th-minute shot to draw the side's level before India netted that golden goal winner after goalkeeper Hilary Rose could not clear Suman Bala Baini's penalty corner strike.

Evlyn Raistrick, technical delegate for the game, admitted Farrell had made a mistake.

"I agree that there was some confusion. The mistake she made was in the signal she made," she said.

"It was regrettable and it was unfortunate it happened in the final of the Commonwealth Games."