Hockey: U-21s relegated after winning only a point in Prague

Russell Garcia took Scotland's Under- 21 side to Prague for the A Division of the European Nations Indoor Championships with high hopes of at least staying at this level, but defeats at the hands of Switzerland, Czech Republic, Austria and Russia and an insipid 6-6 draw with bottom side Belarus brought only one point and relegation.

In a 5-1 defeat in the final pool match Austria grabbed the initiative with a goal in eight minutes but the Scots were soon level when Ollie James slotted home at the back post. This initiated Scotland's most effective spell but in a series of penalty corners Josh Cairns shot wide, his next effort was saved and Fraser Hirst's shot was blocked,. The Austrians then took the lead for the second time. Just on the interval, Michael Bremner's set piece shot was illegally saved on the line by a defender but Cairns' effort from the spot was brilliantly saved by the keeper.

The Scots youngsters fell out of the contest in the second half and Austrian counter-attacks resulted in a further three goals before the end.

In a must-win game against Belarus in the relegation pool, James opened the scoring in the first minute. Belarus were allowed to take a 2-1 lead, but the Scots came up with an individual strike from Scott Sutherland. Just on the interval, a lack of concentration allowed the eastern Europeans to steal a 3-2 lead.

In a devastating five minutes early in the second half, Cairns equalised from a penalty corner, Hirst made it 4-3 and Cairns again put the Scots two ahead from the spot. But the Scots let it slip again, squandering four penalty corners and allowing Belarus to level at 5-5. When Sutherland scored his second to put the Scots ahead with two minutes left the crucial three points seemed secured, but Belarus equalised with the last strike of the game at a set piece.

The final nail in Scotland's coffin came when the Czech Republic beat Belarus 7-1 yesterday, confirming relegation and rendering the final game against Russia meaningless. The Russians broke a dull deadlock four minutes before the interval and went two up early in the second half before Cairns made the final score 2-1 with a shot from a penalty corner.

"Disappointing to go down, but we lacked the necessary experience at this competitive level of indoor hockey." said Garcia.