Chelmsford 8 Blackburn Hawks 8

SIMON Mills was Blackburn Hawks' last-gasp hero last night in a thrill-a-minute clash with Chelmsford.

Mills earned Hawks a well-deserved point with a goal 90 seconds from time. Hawks had held the advantage three times in a nip 'n' tuck contest, but it looked to be slipping away when the home side went 8-6 up in period three.

But James Beale reduced the deficit before Mills squared things up with a smart shot scored on the backhand.

Andrew Dickson, the English Premier League's top pointscorer this season, scored a straight hat-trick to claim Hawks first three.

The star Canadian added another later on and chipped in with three assists to underline his attacking value.

"It was a great all-round effort and we were value for the point," said Hawks official John Neville. "It's never an easy place to visit and Chelmsford have a strong squad this year."

Included among the Chieftains was recent recruit and ex-Hawk Jon Cotton who scored twice while Scandinavian import Anders Tjarnstrom hit three.

To emphasise just how close it all was the shots on goal split was 32 (Chieftains), 30 (Hawks) with the penalty points also equally shared at 22-20.

Period scores: 2-2, 5-4, 1-2. Scoresheet: Andrew Dickson 4+3, Lamonte Polet 2+0, James Beale 1+2, Bobby Haig 0+2, Simon Mills 1+0, Chad Brandimore 0+1, Tim Dempsey 0+1, Bryan Smith 0+1.

Last night in the final game in the Christmas Cup Hawks were well beaten at the Arena, losing 12-2 to Telford after losing three goals inside the first three minutes.

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