Russia ended Scotland's 100 per cent start to the men's Hockey Series tournament in Portgual ©FIH

Russia ended Scotland's 100 per cent start to the men's Hockey Series tournament in Portugal with a commanding 4-1 victory in Lousada.

Pavel Golubev gave the Russians the lead after 11 minutes before Semen Matkovskiy doubled the advantage eight minutes later.

Luke Cranney pulled one back for the Scots but further strikes from Matkovskiy and Marat Khairullin put the Russians out of sight.

They now top the pile after four rounds of fixtures with three wins and a draw, a record they share with Belarus in second.

The Scots have slipped to third on three wins and a defeat.

Belarus thrashed winless Turkey 7-1 today while Gibraltar avoided defeat for the first time by drawing 2-2 with Portugal.

Hockey Series tournaments are taking place across the world this season for the first time.

The top two countries in Portugal will qualify for the Hockey Series Finals, which in turn offer a route to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

One round of fixtures is left tomorrow, with Belarus and Scotland meeting in a crunch tie.

Russia will meet Portugal with Gibraltar playing Turkey.