Ian McGeechan praised his British and Irish Lions players for their win in the third Test against South Africa, but was left to reflect on a series which they so agonisingly lost.

The Lions claimed a consolation 28-9 win over the world champions at Ellis Park in Johannesburg today, but the series was already lost after defeat in the first two Tests.

But it could have been a completely different story for the Lions who showed great heart to come from behind to almost win the first game and should have won the second Test last week, but lost again as a result of a last-gasp penalty from Morne Steyn.

"I think we tried to play in all three games and I think we've probably had the better of probably four of the six halves that we've played," McGeechan told Sky Sports.

"I think the disappointment still is that we could have been coming into this one, one-nil, two-nil up, I think the games have been like that.

"So to finish off the way we've done is satisfaction but, yes, it is slightly secondary satisfaction because we came here to win the Test series and we haven't managed that."

McGeechan described his squad as an "outstanding group of players" and paid tribute to them for having the character to come back and win today after such a demoralising defeat last week in Pretoria.
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