Great Britain kept their Women’s World Championship medal hopes alive by beating Slovenia in a dramatic, must-win penultimate game of the tournament.

Friday’s 2-1 triumph – Britain’s first victory against Slovenia in almost a decade – leaves them third in the Division 1 Group B standings.

Britain came from behind to win through goals from Katherine Gale and skipper Jodie Alderson-Smith.

They face tournament hosts Latvia in Saturday’s key final game (17:30 BST).

“The atmosphere of a full rink with noisy home fans playing for a medal is exactly the kind of experience we need for the team to get where we want to be,” said Britain head coach Mike Clancy.

Latvia sit second in the standings, ahead of Britain on goal difference after thrashing Poland 6-0 on Friday.

Britain, who have won two and lost two of their group games, will be guaranteed a silver medal with victory but any other result would open the door for Slovenia or Italy, who meet each other, to pip them to bronze.

Clancy’s side still harbour a chance of a gold medal and promotion to a higher group if they beat Latvia – but that would require an unlikely defeat for leaders Slovakia against bottom side Poland.

Pia Pren put Slovenia ahead against the run of play in Riga, but Britain levelled immediately through Gale and won it through Alderson-Smith, surviving a two-player disadvantage in the closing stages because of penalties incurred.