Invicta Dynamos ended their league campaign with a 10-2 defeat of Bracknell Hornets in Gillingham on Sunday night – but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Mos from finishing third in NIHL South.

Mos slipped to third after Saturday’s 7-4 loss at Wightlink Raiders, a result which saw the Isle of Wight side move one point and one-place ahead of Invicta before Sunday’s final game and the play-offs.

The home side took full advantage of a 12-man Mos side, who were missing Chris Douglas, Shaun Yardley, Andy Smith, Anthony Leone and Daniel Fudger, by storming to a 4-0 lead at the end of the first period.

Marek Nahlik pulled one back in the 26th minute and four minutes later it was 4-2 after Nicky Lewis struck.

Juraj Huska made it 4-3 less than five minutes later but it was the Raiders who struck next to take a 5-3 lead into the break.

Canadian Matt Vizzari scored twice in three minutes to make it 7-3 and any hopes the Mos had of finish second were gone. Elliott Knell scored a late consolation for Mos.

The defeat means Mos will likely face sixth-placed Cardiff Devils in the play-offs on the weekend of April 5 and 6.The first leg will be played in Wales.

Mos should enter the showdown with plenty of confidence after producing a stunning comeback against the Hornets.

The visitors led 2-0 before the home fans had something to finally cheer about in the 17th minute of the first period when Marek Nahlik reduced the deficit.

Mos, who were without Shaun Yardley, Arran Strawson, Ryan Giles, who broke his wrist against the Raiders, and Davey Jackson, were back on level terms seconds later through Daniel Hammond. Andy Smith made it 3-2 just before the break.

Callum Fowler, Nicky Lewis and Smith extended the advantage by the end of the second period before Hammond, Fowler, Chris Cooke and Nahlik completed the scoring.