Newcastle moved eight points clear of Manchester Phoenix in the Elite League as they claimed their first win over their north-west opponents in four attempts to triumph 4-3.
The Phoenix were quickly off the mark and with only 23 seconds on the clock the league's leading goal scorer Joe Tallari put his team in front.
A double from from Vipers in a four-minute spell reversed the advantage with goals from Shaun Johnson and David Longstaff.
The home side increased their lead through Derek Campbell but just over a minute later Brett Clouthier on the powerplay kept the Phoenix in the game.
Ben Campbell restored Newcastle's two-goal lead.
Moments later they had a great chance to put the game out the way of the Phoenix as they went on a powerplay.
But it was the visitors who kept themselves in the game as Luke Stauffacher netted with a shorthanded goal but they could not get back on level terms.
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