Strikes from TJ Keterman and Daniel Stanton helped GB edge past Switzerland 2-1 to maintain their gold medal hopes in the Open football competition on Day Three of the European Maccabi Games in Vienna.

But the result did not give a true reflection of the match as Swiss keeper Mathieu Wolownick made several world-class saves to keep his team in the game.

In the end, GB were frustrated as the killer third goal never came, and their hopes were dealt a major blow when Stanton was harshly shown a red card after picking up two bookings.

Having made several changes from the first game, Ben Winston’s troops got off to a dream start when James Gershfield, the hat-trick hero of match one, released Keterman who showed a cool head - waiting for the keeper to commit himself - before finishing coolly less than a minute into the game.

GB were soon in cruise control as the Swiss dropped deeper and deeper. They made their intentions clear, putting 11 men behind the ball and they came prepared to soak up the pressure and try to frustrate GB.

But they could not hold out as Stanton fired home from close range after the outstanding Wolownick had kept out two shots from close range midway through the half.

Soutar went close to adding a third, with a powerful heading from a Ben Lauffer corner flashing just wide.

Having tested Lee from distance, the Swiss hauled themselves back into the match when a free-kick from the half way line was met by a flicked header which looped over Lee and into the top corner with half time approaching. It was game on.

Stanton received his first booking for a challenge on Wolownick but at this stage, the GB boys look a cut above their opponents, playing good, incisive, free-flowing football.

Wolownick came to Switzerland's rescue again, after 40 minutes. An excellent move resulted in Gershfield's whipped cross fired goalwards by Keterman but the keeper produced a fine block with his legs. From the resultant corner, Morris' header whistled inches over.

GB started the second half where they left off, on the front foot. A precision cross from Cole was met sweetly by Staton but once again, Wolownick stood firm to produce another fine save.

Captain Morris was harshly booked following the tackle of the game and from the next attack, Paul Babai found Stanton who slipped Gershfield in but his shot flew just wide.

GB kept knocking on the door with Matt Stock finding Gershfield but Wolownick blocked again.

Minutes later, a long-throw from Morris fell into the path of the impressive Lauffer whose header forced another top-class save from Wolownick who was having an inspired game.

The biggest talking point of the game came midway through the second half. GB were awarded a free-kick and seconds later, the ref flashed his yellow card at Stanton for a second time after a coming together.

In a re-run of the infamous Graham Poll moment, it initially appeared that the ref would not send Stanton off, despite showing him two yellows cards. GB tried to act quickly, getting George Fierstone ready to replace Stanton but some the assistant-referee intervened, making the ref aware of his embarrassing error and Stanton walked.

GB, who had a player sent off a minute into their first match, were forced to play the last 20 with 10 men but the Swiss did not threaten an equaliser with Daran Bern and Ben Ellis brought on to offer fresh legs out wide for the final quarter of the match.

GB manager Ben Winston said: "We made a great start but always had a game on our hands.

"Today we showed that we have a strong squad. We had a different team from the first game and I though Paul Babai was fantastic while TJ took his goal well.

"Switzerland were tougher opponents than we expected but that's good for the competition.

"They gave us a very tough game. There's no question that Belgium and Austria are the weaker teams in our group and today we came up against a team that has not conceded in open play. They've let in two top-class free-kicks and a penalty."

Chances were at a premium for a workmanlike Switzerland as the GB backline of Danny Cole, David Soutar, captain Guy Morris and Aron Barnes marshalled keeper Dan Lee, making his first EMG start, well. But Winston was unhappy as his team conceded for the second consecutive match.

"I'm always disappointed with any goal we concede. I was determined to keep a clean sheet before the game. We should've done better as our marking was sloppy.

Talking about Stanton's sending off, Winston said: "The two yellow would never have happened in English football but the players have to adapt to unusual decisions.

"It's a shame for Stants as he's having a good tournament, but the boys responded well and shut up shop. We defended very well."

Winston was full of praise for Wolownick. "Their keeper was by far and away the best player on their side. We had 18 shots to their two. I don't think we'll come up against a better keeper."

Looking ahead to Sunday's clash against Mexico, Winston said: "We're treating it like a quarter-final. The way I'm looking at the competition, our first two games were the group games. Now it's a knockout. We must win on Sunday.

"Mexico are a tough team. They've scored 21 goals in three games."

Stanton will miss the Mexico match but defender Michael Sacks will be available following a one-match suspension.

Team GB: Dan Lee 7, Danny Cole 8, Aron Barnes 8, David Soutar 8, Guy Morris (capt) 8, Ben Lauffer 9, Daniel Stanton 7, Paul Babai 7, James Gershfield 7, Matt Stock 7, TJ Keterman 7. Subs used: Craig Ellis 7, Ben Ellis 7, Daran Bern 7, George Fierstone 7. Subs not used: Matt Davis, Adam Stolerman

Match Stats

GB

Shots: On target: 10, Off target: 8
Corners: 7
Fouls: 8
Offside: 2
Cards: 4. Yellow: 3, Red: 1

Switzerland

Shots: On target: 2, Off target: 2
Corners: 0
Fouls: 6
Offside: 0
Cards: 1. Yellow: 1, Red: 0

GB man of the match: Ben Lauffer

Man of the match: Mathieu Wolownick (Switzerland)