MAGIC just failed to pull off another gallant fightback as they missed out on securing home court advantage in this month's National Trophy semi-finals.

Jeff Jones had watched his team perform an amazing final-quarter revival to win the National Cup final last weekend.

But they will have to do things the hard way with an away trip to Reading Rockets in the last four, if they want to add the Trophy to their prize list.

They spent much of the final game of Pool 1 of the competition trailing the Warriors by as much as 11 points, and despite briefly taking a late lead, fell short by two points at the buzzer.

Local hero Steven Gayle top-scored with 28 points and Andy Thomson hit 18 in a display with some neat touches, but Magic were out-muscled by the bigger Warriors.

"We got off to a poor start and never really recovered," said Jones.

"Gayle did well but I don't think anybody played up to the level they did last weekend.

"But we are not out of the competition so it's not all bad. We have just made things that bit harder for ourselves by having to travel to Reading for the semi."

Warriors' height advantage paid off as they took 64 per cent of the rebounds and Jones, who was again critical of the referees, added: "They dominated the boards and hit some big shots, while ours weren't dropping. But we are through so we will have to wait and see."

Magic travel to Reading for the semi- final on January 28.

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