Leicester Warriors made third place in EBL Division One their own with a crucial hard-fought 86-84 victory over Manchester Magic.

The visitors struck first at Braunstone Leisure Centre and looked like breaking the game open in the first quarter, which included an 8-0 run at one point.

However, three-point plays from Warriors import Tyler Kathan and Joe Reynoso helped to keep Manchester in sight and the first quarter ended with Magic just ahead at 20-18.

MD Janiska was first on the scoresheet in the second quarter with three, but a Mikey Martin foul sent Stefan Gill to the line for a further three bonus shots which he made to restore his side's lead. Manchester moved six points ahead but, with all five Warriors players scoring in the last three minutes of the period, the sides were tied 41-41 at half-time.

A 15-point haul for Janiska was the key to Leicester being able to forge ahead in the third period.

Four points came from veteran Hilroy Thomas and a further eight for Kathan combined to give Warriors a three-point advantage going into the final session.

That lead stretched to seven thanks to further contributions from Janiska and Kathan, while a gigantic three from Emile Hopkins helped Warriors stay clear.

Gill threatened to turn the game around once again, hitting all the points in an 8-1 run which saw Manchester regain the lead at 81-80.

Janiska reclaimed the advantage, however, with two points and some hard work under the basket, two rebounds and two baskets for Kathan finally put the game out of Magic's reach with just seven seconds remaining on the clock.

The Warriors face a crunch game on Saturday when they host second-placed Leeds Carnegie at Braunstone (3.30pm).