English international shooter Geroge Fisher was the hero for the Southern Steel with a last-gasp shot to revive their ANZ Premiership playoff hopes with a crucial 59-58 win over bottom-placed Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in Dunedin.
The southerners were looking for back-to-back wins for the first time this campaign after their season had stuttered along, while the visitors were looking to avoid a seventh straight defeat.
The contest was highlighted by the international matchup at goal-shoot, that saw Fisher go head-to-head with ex-Australian Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett.
Both put on a show with Fisher shooting 50 from her 54 shots at 93 percent, while Bassett was even better going 39 from 41 attempts at 95 percent.
The Magic started the contest with three straight goals before the Steel came to life to score 11 of the last 16 goals to open up a 17-12 lead at quarter time.
The second stanza was a tighter affair but the Steel continued to pounce on the Magic's turnovers to extend their lead to seven goals and go to the sheds 33-26 in front.
The Magic came out an improved side in the second half as they looked to make headway into the Steel's seven goal lead.
Bassett was ably helped by goal attack Chiara Semple who chipped in with nine goals from her 10 shots in the third stanza.
The visitors punished the home side's turnovers to reduce the deficit to 46-42 going into the final 15 minutes.
After an even start to the final stanza that saw Bassett come to the fore - shooting a perfect 16/16 for the quarter - the Magic came home strong to score six of the last 10 goals to look like sending the contest to extra time.
But Fisher had one final chance with time expiring and after missing her first attempt, she got a second chance and made no mistake to hand the Steel their fifth victory of the season.
The victory sees the southerners jump to third, equal with the Northern Mystics in second while the Magic remain last, seven points behind the Central Pulse.
