JOSH Smith grabbed a last-minute winner as Bracknell Bees produced a storming finish to beat Streatham 3-2 at The Hive on Sunday.

Bees came from behind to score all of their goals in a thrilling final period and make it three NIHL South One wins in a row.

Both sides created chances in an even opening period, but the game remained goalless until the Red Hawks flew into a 28th minute lead.

Netminder Dean Skinns made a pad save from Michael Farn, only to see the puck rebound to Adam Carr, who fired home.

The Berkshire Cycles-sponsored Bees worked hard to get back on terms and created chances with two falling to Smith, while Harvey Stead, James Galazzi and Aidan Doughty were all foiled by netminder Damien King.

Bees went into the final period still trailing by the one goal and it required two smart stops from King early in the final period to keep it that way.

But the hosts then upped the tempo and the pressure paid off with a deserved equaliser in the 45th minute, Ben Paynter creating the opportunity for Stead to beat King.

Spurred on by this goal, Bees maintained the pressure and it led to them taking the lead seven seconds after the 50-minute mark.

From behind the Streatham net, Smith found the waiting Shaun Thompson and he gave Smith no chance.

The disciplined Bees conceded only two minutes of penalties the whole game, but when Stead committed a charging offence at 52:33 it proved costly.

On the resulting power play, Streatham equalised through ex-Bee Rupert Quiney and shortly afterwards it needed another great save by Skinns from Farn to keep his side on level terms.

But it was Bracknell who scored the final third goal with just 48 seconds left on the clock with Ryan Sutton setting up the chance for Smith.

In all, Bees had 40 shots on target, compared to the visitors’ 22.

Despite their victory, head coach Doug Sheppard is looking for more from his players, commenting: “We have got to come out and play for a full 60 minutes.

“We got away with it, but we have to put in three good periods every night.”

He added: “It was another test of character for us, but once again we came away with the important two points against a team that proves there’ll be no easy games this season. What’s important is we proved we will battle until the final buzzer.”

Stead was voted Bees’ man of the match.

The two sides meet again at Streatham on Sunday (6.45pm), but before that the Bees host Invicta Dynamos on Saturday (6pm), looking to follow up last week’s 3-2 win at Gillingham.

The visitors’ squad includes former Bracknell skipper Matt Foord and Callum Best, although the latter has still to ice this season. Last weekend, Dynamos crashed 8-2 to Romford-based Raiders, a side that Bees have already beaten this season.