Blackburn Hawks have booked their place in the English National Ice-Hockey League play-offs.

Hawks secured a top-four finish despite only managing a 2-2 draw against bottom-of-the-table Telford Titans in their last league game.

Hawks struggled to get their passing game going throughout and had to rely on a late equaliser to claim the crucial point.

Jared Owen broke the deadlock in the first period, after some good work down the left by Gary Dixon allowed the head coach to slot home the opening goal.

But Hawks were unable to hold on to their slender lead and were pegged back minutes later when Telford levelled the scores.

The visitors then went ahead after they grabbed another goal in the second period, leaving Hawks fans fearing that their side’s end-of-season play-off push would be left in ruins.

Fortunately, in a tense finale, Matt Viney tapped in the vital equaliser to secure a share of the spoils.

Owen said: “I think this was our worst display of the year. We just didn’t turn up.

“However, I am delighted that the lads have qualified for the play-offs.

“We’ve had our share of ups and downs this season, but at the end of the day, we got that important goal when it mattered most.

“Overall, it has been a good season for us – and thankfully we’re not finished yet.”

Hawks will now face table-topping Whitley Warriors in the first leg of their play-off semi-final at home this Sunday.