Vastly improved but, on their day of reckoning, still not nearly good enough.

The Silver Ferns' hopes of progressing to the Commonwealth Games semifinals are out of their hands after a 54-45 final pool loss England on the Gold Coast.

Despite two pool losses, the Ferns are still in the box seat to make the last four and contest a bronze medal due to their superior goal differential.

While Malawi shocked the Ferns on Sunday, their loss to Uganda leaves those three teams with two defeats each in Pool B.

The Ferns started this match with a 47 goal advantage (27.5 percentage points) but now have to wait until Uganda takes on Scotland later tonight to learn their fate.

For context, the Ferns defeated Scotland by 31 goals so any outcome remains possible. 
Given in five previous Games the Ferns won two gold and three silver medals, this tournament represents a failure to get anywhere near expected standards.

Should the Ferns not make it out of their pool it would be a truly embarrassing state of affairs for all involved. Winning five of their past 16 games also puts Janine Southby's role as head coach under major scrutiny.

Not so long ago it would be inconceivable for the Ferns to start underdogs against England but after the Malawi meltdown and the Red Roses' unbeaten run at the Games, the tables had turned.

Today the Ferns at least showed spirit. In truth this was probably their best performance in the past year.

Their defensive especially could do no more. Katrina Grant and the tenacious Temalisi Fakahokotau forced turnovers and contested rebounds. Unfortunately for them, too many of the 11 intercepts were squandered.

Maria Folau (30/39) did her best to drop long bombs but 73 per cent shooting from the Ferns was not good enough. Te Paea Selby-Rickit (12/19) felt the pressure and Bailey Mes' brief introduction did not have the desired impact. Elsewhere Grace Kara struggled to hit her mark in the midcourt.

Four years ago in Glasgow, England capitulated in final stages of their semifinal against the Ferns.

The final quarter here featured a string of wayward passes, missed shots and errors as both teams hit panic mode, doing their best to throw victory away.

This time, though, England held their nerve for their first Games win over the Ferns. They progress top of Pool B and will meet the loser of the Australia-Jamaica game today.

The anguish on Grant's face as a replay ball call went against her near the finish told the story of this sorry campaign.

Now the Ferns wait.