Inspired Great Britain goalkeeping has spoilt Jake Whetton's 250th game and Joel Rintala's debut as the Kookaburras finished on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline in their FIH Pro League match in Christchurch.
Ky Willott's sixth international goal gave the Kookaburras a dream start in the 10th minute but Great Britain hit back just on quarter-time before edging ahead in the 22nd minute.
Despite winning the penalty corner count 6-4 and finishing with a flurry, the Kookaburras could not find a way past Great Britain's substitute goalkeeper Oliver Payne in the second half as the Brits maintained their unbeaten run.
Rintala came agonisingly close to scoring inside the first five minutes of his maiden international with a well-directed drag flick but it was kept out by James Mazarelo in the Great Britain goal.
Daniel Beale pounced on the rebound but again Mazarelo came to Great Britain's rescue.
Beale and Ben Staines then combined to tee up a chance for Willott and the sharpshooter finished superbly from close range at the near post to break the deadlock.
The Kookaburras' joy was short-lived as Sam Ward fired a drag flick straight through the legs of Charter to make it 1-1.
Hayden Beltz sent a fierce shot from just inside the D early in the second quarter but again Mazarelo managed to keep the ball out.
The high level of feeling in the contest was highlighted when Eddie Ockenden tangled with Ward as both teams refused to take a backward step.
Great Britain had their noses in front when Ward's presence proved enough of a distraction to see Lee Morton's cross with a reverse stick take a deflection into the net.
Willott went millimetres from capping off a brilliant Kookaburras move instigated and created by Jake Harvie, only for his eventual shot to rattle into the post.
An on-target drag flick from Jack Welch was saved by Payne as the Kookaburras continued to ask questions of Great Britain's defence.
Another well-executed Rintala drag flick was again kept out by Payne, before the Queensland debutant had a final chance to make it a day to remember when the Kookaburras won a penalty corner with three seconds on the clock.
However, Payne came to Great Britain's rescue again with a sharp reflex save from the low hard drag flick aimed straight down the middle.
"Great Britain are always a tough opponent," Beale, who captained the team, said.
"We knew they would play mark and full press, we knew it would be an intense game and we just fell a bit short today.
"We had good chances to score, some corners that were either not on target or were saved, so we're disappointed but we'll go back and look to improve."
The Kookaburras will now look ahead to an Anzac Day clash against New Zealand on Tuesday
