ODIHAM hockey star Alex Danson will win at least a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games after helping England to a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over New Zealand in the semi-final this afternoon.

The Kiwis had the better of the first half but it was England who led at the break after Danson squared the ball for Lily Owsley to open the scoring from close range.

That looked set to be the only goal of the game, but when Danson was shown a yellow card and forced to sit out the closing stages, New Zealand took advantage.

Katie Glynn levelled the game with less than three minutes to play, while Stacey Michelsen hit the post in the dying seconds.

England forced a late penalty-corner, but the Black Sticks kept them out to force the game to penalty shots.

Danson was successful in the shoot-out as England came through to win it 3-1 and secure a place in tomorrow's final (8.15pm), where they will face Australia, who beat South Africa 7-1 in the other semi.