BEESTON duo Adam Dixon and Harry Martin will both come back to Highfields empty-handed after England lost their bronze medal match against Argentina 2-0 at the World Cup.
The pair were both involved, Bees skipper Dixon starting once again, as England lost to a side ranked seven places below them in the world rankings.
It was always going to be tough to bounce back from the semi-final 1-0 defeat to hosts the Netherlands in The Hague.
Matias Paredes shattered any dreams of a medal for England with a quick-fire brace in the 55th and 56th minutes to seal the victory and make it a double bronze for head coach Carlos Retegui, who also coached the women's team at the competition as well.
It meant yet another major tournament where England's men had to settle for fourth and miss out on the podium, with the fact they matched their world ranking position of fourth of little consolation.
It was goalless as the two sides headed in for half-time, but neither team had been short on attacking play.
Nick Catlin and Ashley Jackson ran the show for England in midfield, but the half-time stats showed Argentina's efficiency was superior, with more circle penetrations and more shots on goal.
England had a good chance to take the lead in the final minute before the break with their first penalty corner of the game, but Jackson's shot was chased down well.
England won another penalty corner early in the second half, but Mark Gleghorne's flick was well saved by Juan Vivaldi in Argentina's goal.
With the tournament's top goal scorer, Gonzalo Peillat, in their side, Argentina's attacking prowess could not be under estimated and they always looked a threat going forward.
Over a two-minute period the game was decided; another Argentine striker, Paredes, scored first with a great reverse stick effort and a second with a shot from in front of the goal after a great run from Lucas Vila along the base line.
England gave everything but there was no way through the Argentine defence; Vivaldi was superb in goal and as he got a glove to Jackson's penalty corner flick in the closing minutes England's chance of a medal slipped away.
England head coach Bobby Crutchley said: "We're obviously devastated. If you make a semi-final it's a horrible position to come fourth and that's where we are at the moment.
"We had a bit of a dose of reality. We defend solidly and we have some good players but we don't quite have enough in terms of creating chances and scoring goals. That's something we'll have to change.
"We are tough to beat, which is great, but we need to score some more goals and that's the hardest thing to coach someone. Our players will put their bodies on the line and run all day, but that will only get you so far."
