By Carl Markham, PA Sport

England's gold medal bid may have ended in controversy and despair, but the sport has a bright future according to coach Tricia Heberle.

They won a silver medal to go with the one they claimed in Kuala Lumpur four years ago after losing 3-2 to a hotly-disputed Indian golden goal on Saturday and Australian-born Heberle promised there was much more to come from her players.

"We played a very good game and so did India and unfortunately we have come away with a silver medal and a silver medal is still an achievement," said a disappointed Heberle.

"It is frustrating, but throughout this tournament we have shown that we can create chances and I still feel particularly proud that we are playing a brand of hockey that gives us the opportunity to do that.

"I have watched England play hockey for a decade now and I can't remember them playing with such flair and creating so many opportunities.

"I believe we can make that last step and be among the top six in the world."

India won Saturday's final amid shambolic scenes after scoring a golden goal winner as time expired at the end of the first period of extra-time.

Confusion reigned because New Zealand umpire Lyn Farrell blew her whistle after the hooter sounded - seconds before Mamta Kharab forced the ball over the line from a penalty corner.

Farrell subsequently ruled the effort did not stand but, after consultation with fellow officials, awarded the goal, sparking a failed protest from England.

After initially lodging an appeal, England correctly chose to take the decision on the chin and settled for silver.

England had bravely fought back from 2-0 down thanks to goals from co-captain and Leicester midfielder Sarah Blanks and Olton's Helen Grant.

"It was not the right way to end a game, but sometimes these things happen in sport," added Heberle.

"In the spirit of the game and in the spirit of our sport of hockey - which is bigger than any individual team - we made the decision to withdraw the appeal and accept the decision.

"This was the friendly games, we were the host country and we are good sports."

Mike Hamilton, English Hockey's performance director, claimed the team felt they were justified to put in an appeal because of an error by Farrell.

"Technically the umpire made a mistake and that was the basis of our appeal," he said.

"The players were distraught, as were the rest of us, but we decided it was in the best interests of the game (not to pursue it)."

Evlyn Raistrick, technical delegate for the game, admitted that 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."

England played some superb hockey during the tournament - including a memorable 2-1 semi-final victory over the all-conquering Australians - and Heberle was overwhelmed by the support her team received from the home crowd.

"If this is what happens when we get home games then let us have the Olympics. It is fantastic for hockey," she added.

"The girls feel really proud to play for their country, but to have such support every day really meant a lot to them."