Steve Thornton's Giants suffered their first defeat of the season

The Belfast Giants surrendered their unbeaten record in the Elite League with a 4-3 defeat away to Newcastle Vipers on Saturday night.

Belfast had won their first four games but will have an early chance for revenge when they take on Newcastle again at the same venue on Sunday.

Bobby Robins, Tyler Howells and George Awada were the Giants goalscorers.

Burt Henderson, Rob Wilson, Todd Griffith and Derek Campbell found the net for the Vipers.

Henderson and Wilson put the home side in control by scoring goals in the first period but Robins replied in the second period before Griffith and Campbell made it 4-1.

Howells scored to reduce the deficit to 4-2 at the end of the second period and although Awada was on target in the third period, Steve Thornton's side could not find an equaliser.