Hockey: Young Scots pull off great escape as Stafford sinks Russia

Scotland's under-21 side performed the perfect Houdini act to come from 3-0 down at the interval to see off the Russians 4-3 at the end of the opening pool match of the European Nations Hockey Championships at Stirling with a late penalty corner strike from Heather Stafford.

After Nicky Skrastin failed to convert an early chance, the Russians totally dominated the first half and raced into a 3-0 lead as the Scots youngsters seemed overcome by the occasion.

Whatever coach David Stott said to his charges at the interval, it was a different team that emerged for the second half. At their fifth penalty corner early in the half Stafford pulled one back for the Scots following a switch pass from Morag McLellan. Stafford had further chances, but her set-piece efforts were blocked by a combination of keeper and then defender as the Russians were now creaking at the seams.

With four minutes left Stafford's penalty corner shot was again saved by a defender but McLellan followed up to score with a low shot for 3-2. With the Russians now reeling, Heather Elder equalised from close range. While the Russians had a player in the sin bin, Stott's charges took full advantage and Stafford grabbed the late winner with a direct shot from a penalty corner.

Meanwhile, a crunch weekend is coming up for Inverleith as they strive to break the 16-year Tayside stranglehold of the Subway national indoor hockey league and take the title for the first time in the club's history. Stuart Neave's side have four matches against Western Wildcats, Grange and Glynhill Kelburne today and a catch-up game against bottom side AMN Hillhead tomorrow.

At the moment Inverleith are in the driving seat at the top of the table, three points ahead of champions Grove Menzieshill and another in front of Grange, the only real contenders. His side may be unbeaten so far, but Neave is aware of the fragility of the situation. "This Saturday will prove difficult with three games against teams who all have the capability of causing problems," said Neave.

But Inverleith will be without a few key players for this crucial denouement, Graham Moodie and free-scoring Chris Grassick are in the Scotland squad to play Spain in Cadiz, while defender Andrew Sinclair suffered a broken leg in the game against Menzieshill a fortnight ago. Neave, however, remains upbeat in adversity.

"The mood in the squad is very positive and we're all looking forward to the weekend," said Neave. "We know there will be players missing, so this will be a test of character for the rest of the squad."

Perhaps the biggest threat to Inverleith's title aspirations will come from third-placed Grange, but earlier in the campaign Neave's charges won 6-3 with the mercurial Stephen Dick notching a hat-trick. Grange still have an outside chance of glory, but they must scupper Inverleith's title hopes to progress their own.

"We have a challenging last six games, including Inverleith and Menzieshill who beat us comfortably the last time we played them," said David Knipe, Grange's coach. "Inverleith are ahead of us in terms of consistency and have arguably played the best indoor hockey this season, so it's a big challenge to win this game."

Billy McPherson's message to the Menzieshill players is that they must keep on winning to keep the pressure on Inverleith, and that means full points from the encounters with Hillhead, Greaves Clydesdale and Western Wildcats, and hope the Edinburgh side slip up.

Even with a game in hand, Western Wildcats look out of the title running but they are quite capable of upsetting Inverleith's celebrations, depending on what sort of squad they turn out on the day.