Belfast looming for Knights

London Knights came from behind to earn a 5-5 draw against the Ayr Scottish Eagles in the first leg of the Challenge Cup semi-final and will go into Tuesday's second leg at London Arena confident of reaching the final in Belfast on 10 March.

The injury-hit Knights, playing their third away game in four days, had seven fit forwards and only four fit defencemen and trailed 4-1 at the end of the first period. However, they fought back to take a 5-4 lead before the home side drew level seven minutes from the end.

Head coach Chris McSorley, who had travelled to Ayr from Hull, where he was in the middle of a Great Britain training camp, was pleased with the character shown by his play-ers.

"I'm very proud of the effort the players put in and the never say die attitude in our dressing room," he said.

London's scorers were Jay Neal, Grant Richison, Jussi Eloranta, Bryan Richardson and Aaron Boh.