MICHAEL OWEN believes the Lions can hold their heads up high - despite the Test series defeat to the All Blacks.

Sir Clive Woodward's British Lions warmed up for the final Test with a morale boosting victory in Auckland this morning.

But this was the right result, at the right ground, on the wrong day.

Eden Park will also stage this Saturday's final Test, a game in which pride is the only prize for Woodward's increasingly weary travellers.

But they can take heart from this show against a top provincial side, who included eight current or former All Blacks in their starting line up.

"This was a very important win for us - they are one of the toughest teams we play," said the Newport Gwent Dragon.

"We are a proud team and hopefully the Saturday boys can end their tour on a high as well. To get a win at Eden Park is a great achievement, hopefully it's the first of two this week."

Mark Cueto, Matt Dawson and Martyn Williams all gave Woodward final but forceful nudges about their claims for a Test place with attention-grabbing displays.

Hodgson threaded an early penalty before injury forced him off, Ronan O'Gara seamlessly assuming kicking duties with his best display yet.

He exchanged penalties with Auckland full back Brent Ward while the Lions finished the half strongly, securing a lead they never lost.

Cueto glided past four tackles but was hauled down just short of the line. Dawson's quick-thinking got the ball moving again and Williams dived over for a try that O'Gara failed to convert.

A further Ward penalty and Isa Nacewa try put pressure on the Lions but O'Gara steadied any nerves with his third penalty.

Try scorer Williams now hopes this sterling show could earn some a final shot at the All Blacks this Saturday. "Maybe a few guys raised their hands today - it was a good performance, against a very good side," he said.

"It will be difficult to play a second game in four days but some guys from this team really do deserve a crack against the All Blacks.

"The character we showed here is a real positive that we can all take from this tour. Auckland are an attacking side, to allow them only one try was very good.

"The spirit in the midweek team has been brilliant.

"The coaches have not allowed anyone who didn't make the Test team to get disappointed. This win is a credit to them. I've no complaints about the chances I've had. I always knew how much competition there was in this squad."