The Giants needed Manchester Magic to beat Sheffield at the same time to get them through to the Play-offs but, after Mansfield had kept their part of the bargian, it was the Sabres who won by just five points to pip the Giants at the death.

The game started well for the Giants with an ‘and 1’ play from Guy Renton and sharpshooting from Paul Kelly as they led 24-8 after the first quarter.

The Giants came out complacent against the struggling Liverpool side in the second allowing a 10-0 before regrouping via a time out and finishing the half 45-29.

A more determined Mansfield came out for the second half all guns blazing, going on a 10-0 run themselves.

Danny Richards started hitting from outside, and with Renton continuing to be a threat inside the Giants began to dominate and stretch the lead to 70-40.

The fourth quarter belonged to Antony Haase, scoring 14 points which included four slam dunks.

The depleted Liverpool side kept on battling, but the Giants were just too strong in the end.

l Giants Women were also in action at third in the league Bury Blue Devils and lost a closely fought game 62-58.

Giants got off to a great start with a big three from captain Gail Hicks.

Good defence led to turnovers from Bury which led to points from Kirsty Wood as Giants finished the first quarter 16-12 ahead.

Bury opened the scoring, Newcombe scored a three, as Giants found Sophie Madeley open on a fast break.

Hicks penetrated inside to find Helena Palmer and Richards open, and Sam Parry proved too strong inside as she was fouled scoring the basket and given an ‘and 1’.

Madeley ended the quarter scoring three fast breaks and Giants defence made Bury turn the ball over again as their extended the lead further at the end of the half to 36-24.

However, it was a sleepy start for the Giants in the third quarter as Bury came out strongly to show why they are third in the league, embarking on on a six point run.

Richards scored more baskets inside but Giants’ afternoon took a turn for the worse when Parry had to come out of the game with a severe injury as Bury continued to pursuit the basket and refused to back down.

Hicks scored a basket inside and Wood scored another drive to basket as Giants continued to lead at the end of the third 47-41.

It all went wrong in the final quarter of Giants women’s season.

Bury then began to pressure and scored eight unanswered points to take the score to 50-49.

Hicks scored a jump shot and Parry was fouled going to basket and scored both free throws.

Then Richards scored another basket but through bad passing offensively it led to steals from Bury scoring the baskets and awarded an ‘and 1’.

Richards scored more free throws as Newcombe scored another three for Bury and, as the final minute approached, Bury led 60-56.