Blackburn Hawks snatched a last-gasp goal as they defeated Whitley Warriors in an exhilarating match at the Arena.

Rick Bentham secured a fantastic 6-5 win for the home side with a strike deep into the final period as Hawks finally put an end their Whitley hoodoo.

The late goal was the icing on the cake as Hawks capped an impressive performance with maximum points.

“It was a really great game and we thoroughly deserved to win,” said coach Gary Buckman.

“We were up for it before the game and that certainly showed on the ice.”

Despite rushing into a 3-1 lead with strikes from Rick Hughes, Matt Viney and Aaron Davies, Hawks looked like they had blown their chance of a famous win when they conceded three goals in three crazy second period minutes.

However, Hawks pegged their opposition back through Davies, only to fall behind again moments later.

With four minutes to go in the final period, Viney grabbed his second before Bentham capped an all action display with a deserved goal.