Steeldogs edged out in 13-goal thriller

Andre Payette’s team - whose play-off hopes were ended earlier this month - staged a tremendous fightback after finding themselves 4-0 down at the end of two periods, goals for the visitors coming from Tom Duggan (3) and Bari McKenzie.

Captain Greg Wood got the home side on the board 48 seconds into the third period, only for Joachim Flaten to restore Manchester four-goal lead three minutes later.

Andrew Hirst made it 5-2 at 45.56, only for the impressive Duggan to grab his fourth of the night at less than a minute later.

With just under 10 minutes remaining, Hirst’s second began the fightback in earnest, with three goals in five minutes forcing the game into overtime.

Lubomir Korhon made it 6-4 with a shorthanded strike at 54.54, with Edgars Bebris making it a one-goal game just under two minutes later with another goal while the Steeldogs were a man down.

The equaliser came from the stick of Bebris with just 63 seconds left, but the hearts of home fans were broken when that man Duggan grabbed his fifth of the night just under four minutes into overtime to seal an extra point for Manchester.