England's defeat to Sri Lanka in the fourth one-day international in Colombo was compounded by the news that they had been fined for a slow over rate for the second match in succession.

England's defeat to Sri Lanka in the fourth one-day international in Colombo was compounded by the news that they had been fined for a slow over rate for the second match in succession.

The tourists were penalised after the third ODI - which they won - resulting in a one-match suspension for captain Alastair Cook.

Eoin Morgan led the team in Cook's absence in Sunday's fourth one-dayer but again the bowlers fell foul of International Cricket Council regulations, and now one more transgression as a captain in one-day cricket will lead to Morgan receiving a ban.

A statement from the ICC read: "David Boon of the Emirates elite panel of ICC match referees imposed the fine after Eoin Morgan's side was ruled to be one over short of its target when time allowances were taken into consideration.

"In accordance with Article 2.5.1... Morgan was fined 20 per cent of his match fee, while his players received 10 per cent fines.

"If Morgan is found guilty of one more minor over-rate offence in ODIs over the next 12 months while acting as captain, he will receive a one-match suspension as per the provisions of the code [of conduct]."

Morgan rued England's lack of a second frontline spinner after a narrow defeat to Sri Lanka in the fourth one-day international.

The hosts won with six wickets, but only two balls, in hand in Colombo to go 3-1 up in the seven-match series.

It was notable that while Sri Lanka spinners accounted for 36 of England's 50 overs, and nine of the 10 wickets as they were bowled out for 265, England had only Moeen Ali and six overs of Joe Root as James Tredwell was left out.

Morgan told Sky Sports News: "With the options we had, pace off was certainly the right option and it would have been nice to have another spinner.

"To get it down to the last over was outstanding, our seamers did well. It's alien conditions for them, they had to show different skills to back home."

Morgan captained the team in the absence of the suspended Alastair Cook, whose place in the line-up went to Nottinghamshire's James Taylor.

The pair led the scoring for England, Taylor with 90 before Morgan hit 62 off 47 balls including 18 off the last over.

"James Taylor played outstandingly well, to come in and score runs like he did," said the Irishman.

"It was nice for me to get some runs under my belt, that lifted my confidence a bit, and James Taylor was outstanding as well."

England require three straight wins to take the series and Morgan said: "We need to play our best cricket to do that, it's a good challenge for our guys to front up."

Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews saw his side over the line with an unbeaten 51.

But he paid tribute to experienced pair Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, who made 86 and 44 respectively and put on 96 for the third wicket.

"Once again they had a brilliant partnership, without that we were struggling," he said.

"I was a bit nervous (at the end) but tried to stay calm, I knew we had wickets in hand.

"The bowlers bowled brilliantly, especially the spinners, from the start England got we pulled them back really hard."