Dan Welch of the Belfast Giants in action against Jaroslaw Rzeszutko of the Newcastle Vipers

Elite League leaders Belfast Giants fell to their third home defeat in five days as bottom-placed Newcastle Vipers grabbed victory at the Odyssey Arena.

The visitors were two goals up inside nine minutes thanks to scores from Mike Prpich and Jamie Carroll.

Mike Hoffman's deflected effort on 21.44 reduced the gap and with just over five minutes left Jon Gleed netted the equaliser.

Jaro Rzeszutko scored the winner for Newcastle on 55.06.

The Giants stay three points ahead of Cardiff Devils and Sheffield Steelers but they have played more games than their title rivals.

Newcastle are now just one point behind ninth-placed Edinburgh Capitals and are also now guaranteed a place in the Challenge Cup semi-finals.

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