Bradford Dragons remain on course for the EBL Division Three play-offs in March after a battling 71-65 win at Mansfield Giants lifted them to third in the table.

The Dragons shook off the disappointment of the previous week's overtime National Shield loss to Worcester to lead 22-19 at the end of the first quarter.

They also shaded the second quarter to move 35-31 ahead and then built up a ten-point lead, only for Mansfield to surge 53-52 ahead going into the final quarter.

That gap was extended to six points by Bradford's fellow play-off hopefuls but captain Istvan Dohar inspired a late Dragons response, topping the scoring with 22 points as they turned the match around.

"We dug ourselves out of a hole several times in this game against a strong Giants team playing in front of their home crowd," said Dragons coach Chris Mellor said.

"Unlike against the Wolves last week, our players kept their composure in the closing minutes to take the game."

Bradford now face a huge weekend with fixtures against the two sides above them in the table, travelling to Sheffield Saints on Saturday and hosting Leeds Met Carnegie at the Zara Sports Centre, Belle Vue Girls School, on Sunday (6.15pm).

Other Dragons results saw the under-18s lose 79-58 at table-topping East Durham Academy; the women were beaten 46-33 at home by Sheffield Gems; the 2B men went down 59-45 at Leeds Tigers; and the under-16s missed out 70-55 at Doncaster.

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