London Racers 3, Basingstoke Bison 4

STEVE Moria scored the game-winning goal two minutes from time on Friday to ensure the Bison maintained their unbeaten record this season against bottom-placed London.

Their first away win of 2004 ended a four-game losing streak on the road.

Having played the Racers at Alexandra Palace earlier in the season, this was a first visit to Lee Valley.

In an even contest, the home side drew first blood and, for the second time running between these sides, it was Czech Republic forward Mojmir Musil who scored. He finished a move involving Reine Rauhala and Brain McLaughlin at 9:08.

By the period end, the scores were level as the Wella-backed side's man-of-the-match Joe Ciccarello put away an excellent pass from defenceman Doug Schueller.

The second session was just 56 seconds old when the first penalty was called on Darren Hurley for slashing and, two minutes later, the visitors were given their first power-play as Racers player-coach Jason Robinson departed for hooking.

Both teams failed to make the most of their man advantage but, within a minute of returning to full strength, London took the lead through Marc Long.

Their lead was doubled at 32:37 as Racers man-of-the-match Jani Tuominen slotted home from Rauhala and Warren Tait.

The visitors kept plugging away and, in the final two minutes of the period, Moria pulled a goal back after he combined with line-mates Ciccarello and Blake Sorensen.

The final session got off to a great start for the Bison as Darren Hurley netted the second equaliser, assisted by Norman Pinnington, who was playing against the club who released him late last year.

Both teams then had chances and the final powerplay of the night went to the home side as Sorensen earned a two-minute rest in the sin bin for hooking.

As thoughts started to turn to overtime, up popped Moria - as he had done in the second period - to score a late goal and give the Herd the lead for the first time in the contest.

With a minute left, London pulled their netminder Evan Lindsay for the extra skater but Curtis Cruickshank made the saves and the Bison collected two points.

Player-coach Moria said: "We played very loosely in all zones and gave them far too many chances, but I was pleased with the final period performance.

"Darren Hurley scored a really important goal in that period to give the momentum for us to take the win."

Scoring, Racers: Tuominen 1+1, Long, Musil 1+0, Rahala 0+2, McLaughlin, Tait, Scott 0+1. Bison: Moria 2+1, Ciccarello 1+1, Hurley 1+0, Sorensen 0+2, Roy, Pinnington, Schueller 0+1.

Shots on goal: Lindsay 39, Cruickshank 40.

Penalties: Racers 4min, Bison 6.