FORMER Newcastle idol Rob Trumbley helped spoil a pre-season party at the Telewest Arena on Saturday night in a thrilling last-minute Storm fightback.

Jesters led Manchester Storm in the second of two weekend exhibition matches with a goal by winger David Clarke on 23.20 and looked like hanging on for a well-earned win.

But Manchester pulled out all the stops, taking netminder Frank Petriangelo from the ice with only 40 seconds to go to make way for an extra skater in their push for the equaliser.

Newcastle's defence and netminder Jimmy Hibbert coped well, and the visitors' tactics almost backfired. The Jesters fans were out of their seats in anticipation of a second goal as a clearance came off the boards and slid teasingly towards an empty Storm net - only to pass inches wide of the post.

Near elation turned to disappointment with only 12 seconds to go when former Riverking Trumbley set up Matthew Eldred to shoot home the Manchester goal.

But the Jesters had fought hard, showing much promise and creating good chances throughout the game, playing consistently strongly throughout the 60 minutes - a virtue sadly lacking in past seasons at the Arena.

In both the games, the team showed heart and the likes of Timo Salonen, Eric Fenton, Darren McAusland, Matt Oates and skipper Joel Poirier shone as great prospects in a skillful side.

The efforts on Friday night's 5-2 defeat by Sheffield were scrappier, however, and it was evident the home fans were watching a side lacking fitness and experience at playing as a unit.

Despite goals from Salonen on 36.25 and Rob Wilson on 40.29, the side were overrun by a Sheffield team looking for revenge after Newcastle beat them in the play-offs.

V Sheffield: Salonen and Wilson 1+0; Kupka, Mosnar, Fenton and Oates 0+1.

V Manchester: Clarke 1+0; Sova 0+1.