Belfast lost in Newcastle so Panthers are now three points clear of fourth place with one game to go.

Jonathan Phillips gave Sheffield a second-period lead, before Ryan Shmyr levelled early in the third.

But Doug Sheppard scored Steelers second with just under five minutes to go and that was added to by an empty net goal for ex-Panther Ashley Tait.

Interview: Nottingham Panthers coach Mike Ellis

Steelers were able to field a full-strength side but Panthers were missing Patrik Wallenberg, while Johan Molin played despite being ill.

We gave them a great battle and it could have been anyone's game in the third Mike Ellis

Coach Mike Ellis told BBC Radio Nottingham that this affected his side: "Wallenberg and Molin are top players but we put up a good fight.

"I'm disappointed with the result but kind of happy with the ways the guys came out here.

"We gave them a great battle and it could have been anyone's game in the third."

On Saturday Panthers edged a thrilling match away against Hull Stingrays.

Panthers took the lead through Rob Rankin but the hosts deservedly levelled through James Ferrara.

The second period followed the same pattern with Mark Richardson restoring the visitors' advantage only for Hull to hit back again through Jeff Glowa.

Matthew Myers put Nottingham ahead for a third time with less than seven minutes left in the third and Sean McAslan's short-handed goal in the dying seconds sealed the win.

Panthers will face Cardiff Devils in the-end-of-season play-off quarter-finals. The home leg is on Saturday, 29 March, with the return in South Wales the following day.