BLACKBURN Hawks came from three goals down to lead only to eventually fall to an agonising 6-4 loss at NIHL Moralee Conference table-toppers Solway Sharks on Saturday.

Hawks looked to be heading for a heavy defeat until their fit-again player-coach Jared Owen started the fight back five minutes into the second period.

Man-of-the-match Scott Robson reduced the deficit further before impressive forward David Meikle scored twice inside one third-period minute to put the visitors in front for the first time.

Their advantage, however, lasted just 30 seconds as the temporarily shell-shocked hosts equalised.

That was the way it stayed until the final 10 minutes when Sharks took advantage of two power plays to fire in the strikes that ensured they edged the 10-goal thriller – and left the Hawks to contemplate what might have been on the long journey home from Scotland.

Owen, who was making his return from a back injury, said: “We showed really good character to go from 3-0 down to 4-3 up. It was just a shame we couldn’t hold on to the lead as they were level within 30 seconds.

“They then scored a couple of power play goals after we gave away soft penalties.”