The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel squandered a 12-goal lead and just scraped home with a 50-50 draw against the Queensland Firebirds at its pre-season tournament in Queenstown tonight.

It`s cause was not helped by experienced shooters Daneka Wipiiti and Megan Dehn both leaving the court nursing injuries.

The Steel stormed out of the blocks, racking up a healthy 18-9 lead after the first quarter. A feisty defensive effort from the Steel denied the Firebirds possession and they struggled to feed shooting maestro Romelda Aiken as a result.

The dynamic display from the home team was marred by the loss of Wipiiti following a nasty blow to her ribs. However, young replacement Julianna Naoupu was solid.

Starring at a 12-goal deficit, the Firebirds switched into gear and slotted nine in a row to sneak back within three, the formidable defensive pairing of Amy Steel and Clare McMeniman having an impact.

Ahead 29-25 at halftime, the Steel maintained the advantage heading into the final stanza. But the loss of Dehn with 7 minutes remaining was costly and the Firebirds pounced – Aiken evening the odds in the final seconds.

The Steel earlier beat the Central Pulse 64-53.

A few injury woes in the Steel camp saw Broughton enlisted team physio Jenny Ferguson at goal defence and she was certainly not out of place amongst netball`s elite.

Initially forced to play catch-up, a scoring spree late in the first quarter enabled Steel to draw level 16-16 and the momentum continued into the second spell, despite the best efforts of Pulse defender Katrina Grant, obviously amped to claim the scalp of her former team-mates.

The Steel stretched its buffer to 32-26 at halftime and led 47-42 heading into the last quarter. While the Pulse ventured back within five, the home team was never in danger.

Wipiiti was a standout, nailing 49 of her 52 attempts, while goal attack Megan Dehn also impressed with 15 from 17 for a combined strike-rate of 92 percent.

The Northern Mystics came frustratingly close to toppling the Firebirds earlier in the day.

The yo-yo nature of the scoreline was testament to the hotly-contested battle. Every time the Mystics managed to edge in front, the Firebirds clawed their way back into the game, especially when it mattered most – the final whistle.

After leading 15-14, the Mystics were on the back foot 27-30 heading into the second half and, despite a gutsy effort, narrowly lost 61-62.

Traditionally a shooter, Kayla Cullen showed considerable potential in the defensive ranks alongside import Althea Byfield, who proved a worthy opponent for shooting maestro and Jamaican team-mate Romelda Aiken.

Life didn`t improve for the Mystics, later losing 42-60 to the Canterbury Tactix.

Predicated by many to earn the ANZ Championship wooden spoon this season, the Tactix enjoyed a successful day, also dominating the Australian Institute of Sport 57-43 after leading 28-18 at halftime.

The Pulse later demolished the Australian youngsters 65-33.