A Nicole Arrold penalty stroke iced Australia's victory over New Zealand in a pulsating women's hockey final at the Delhi Commonwealth Games.

After the match was deadlocked at 2-2 at the end of regular time as well as extra-time, the battle for the gold medal came down to penalties, and it was Arrold who clinched the triumph with the Hockeyroos' fifth stroke.

The gold is the Hockeyroos' third in four Commonwealth Games campaigns, the only blight on their record coming in Manchester back in 2002 where they collected bronze.

While it was Arrold who ended New Zealand's hopes at the MDC National Stadium, the true hero of the penalty shoot-out was Hockeyroos goalkeeper Rachael Lynch, who saved the first penalty stroke.

Katie Glynn, who had been one of New Zealand's best during regular time, could not beat Lynch in the cut-throat environment of the shoot-out and when Krystal Forgesson went wide with her attempt the Hockeyroos moved into the box seat.

Ashleigh Nelson and Megan Rivers converted the Hockeyroos' first two strokes, and while captain Madonna Blyth sprayed her shot, Casey Eastham and Arrold finished the job.

Anita Punt and Kayla Sharland scored the New Zealanders' penalties to leave the shoot-out at 4-2 in the Hockeyroos' favour.

Lynch admits the penalty shoot-out was "nerve-wracking" but she relished the opportunity.

"I was pretty excited to have a go at it, I haven't had a go at strokes in an event like this," she told Grandstand Online.

"I just try and concentrate on my job and that's to stop one and maybe two, three if I'm lucky.

"But I just had to stop one and hope the girls put all theirs away."

Rivers also showed cool nerves to help the Hockeyroos move 2-0 ahead in the shoot-out, and she highlighted there was no panic when the match was forced to penalties.

"The coach (Frank Murray) said at the end of regular time because we were in front for so much of the game, don't feel like we've lost this game, we haven't lost this game yet," she said.

"Just keep playing the way we are and keep taking the opportunities and we'll get one, so that was his message at the end of regular time."

Attacking intent

The attacking intent of both sides was evident from the whistle and it was the Hockeyroos who enjoyed the best chance in the opening five minutes when Fiona Boyce sent in a cross from the right.

It proved fruitless however, as her targets in the shooting circle were unable to get stick to ball, but it did not take long for the Hockeyroos to get on the scoreboard via the first penalty corner of the match in the ninth minute.

Boyce guided the ball in and after the set-up it was Arrold who hammered the shot into the back of the net to give the Hockeyroos an early 1-0 lead.

While the Hockeyroos' attack was on song their defence was also impressive, as every New Zealand entry into the Australian half failed to have any effect.

The New Zealanders, who had attracted much of the crowd support, did give themselves a boost when they prevented the Hockeyroos converting from their second penalty corner in the 15th minute, and their backfield unit deserved more praise after forcing a turnover from a dangerous Shelley Liddelow movement.

They finally tested the Hockeyroos' defence with back-to-back penalty corners in the 22nd minute of play, but a goal was not forthcoming and the score remained unchanged as both teams left the field for half-time.

Kiwi fight-back

The second term was less than two minutes old when Glynn had a definite chance on goal denied and New Zealand had another scoring opportunity go begging soon after when it could not convert from a penalty corner.

New Zealand was dominating both territory and possession - a stark contrast to much of the first half - and while the Hockeyroos were holding firm, it was obvious the defending champions were feeling the pressure.

This was evident again in the 44th minute when Stacey Michelsen weaved her way through the Hockeyroos' defensive formation before losing possession, while Lynch was called upon to execute a save from a well-struck shot that followed a New Zealand penalty corner.

The Hockeyroos did themselves no favours when they went a player down with Alison Bruce being shown a green card, and New Zealand made the most of the numerical advantage to score through Sam Harrison, who beat Lynch with a reverse stick shot after another penalty corner.

Only a minute after Harrison's score, it became 10 players apiece with New Zealand losing Natasha Fitzsimons as a result of an infringement, and it seemed to lift the Hockeyroos' spirits as they forced their first penalty corner of the second stanza.

But New Zealand soon regained momentum and it came close to snatching the lead when Michelsen and Glynn threatened to trouble Lynch, although the Hockeyroos again managed to stem the flow.

When play moved up deep inside the New Zealand half, the Hockeyroos received a vital penalty corner and it was from there that Nelson was able to desperately get her stick to the ball while lying on the ground and push her side back in front on the scoreboard.

The 2-1 advantage was not without its nervous moments and Lynch rose to the occasion to get a pad on a New Zealand shot from a penalty corner with less than eight minutes to play.

But Lynch could not hold out New Zealand with just over 30 seconds until the final siren and Clarissa Eshuis goaled from the penalty corner to force extra-time.

With play moving into the extra periods, Glynn had a chance with three minutes remaining when she was on target, while New Zealand captain Kayla Sharland lacked power with a late shot that was easily padded away by Lynch.

Meanwhile, England claimed the bronze medal earlier in the day by beating South Africa 1-0.