Warren Gatland thinks the Lions can be proud of their draw with the world champions

Lions head coach Warren Gatland paid tribute to his team after they emerged from their keenly-fought series in New Zealand with an honourable draw.

Saturday's deciding Test at Eden Park was another gripping encounter and finished 15-15, meaning the series was drawn 1-1.

The All Blacks are the top team in the world, having won the last two World Cups, and looked set to justify their status as hot favourites to win this summer's series when they comfortably triumphed in the first Test.

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However, the Lions hit back to claim a gutsy victory in Wellington last weekend and force a decider, which they drew after Owen Farrell landed a late penalty.

"It is a great achievement coming here and drawing the series," said Gatland.

"I don't think we played that brilliantly tonight, our message at half-time was that we were still in this game, but the boys showed some real courage.

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"I think it is a fair result in the end.

"I'm really proud of the boys, no one gave us a hope in hell at the start. They should be really proud of what they have achieved."

The Lions almost suffered a heartbreaking defeat but, having originally awarded the All Blacks a kickable late penalty, referee Romain Poite instead gave the hosts an attacking scrum after consultation with the TV official.

Gatland said his captain Sam Warburton had convinced Poite to look at replays and ultimately to change his penalty decision.

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He said Warburton had "been quite smart and astute and been able to talk the referee from a penalty into an accidental offside."

And Gatland added: "We would have been devastated as a group if we had lost the game from that."

Having guided the Lions to a series win in Australia on their last tour, Gatland has emphatically proved his worth, but he was non-committal when asked if he might coach the Lions again.

"I am undefeated as a head coach, I suppose," he said.

"There is a lot of water under the bridge. My focus is now on Wales, preparing for the World Cup in Japan.

"I am a firm believer of what will be, will be so I won't be looking too far ahead. I am looking forward to the next few years with Wales and then see what other opportunities are out there."