The home fans did not get the win they would have liked.

But they got the vintage Dennis Rodman show they craved last night as the title favourites came to town.

And that was enough to leave the majority of them pretty satisfied, despite a second successive defeat for Genesis Brighton Bears.

While the Andrew Alleyne eligibility row rumbled on, one of the greatest rebounders the game has ever seen was out there waging an almighty battle of the boards with the toughest team in the British League.

And that was a spectacle to stick in the memory for years.

The final result? Thirty-eight minutes of massive commitment, tough defence and soaring work off the glass, resulting in a monumental 23 rebounds, 16 at the defensive end.

He forced misses, grabbed a shot block, chivvied his team along, chipped in at time outs and generally showed all the spirit that made him famous in the NBA.

At the end of it, he hung around just long enough to ice his knees before making a rapid exit, leaving behind fans, a pile of Valentine's cards and some roses from an admirer.

Newcastle possess steel of their own and they generally had enough to hold off Bears, who made a run at it after trailing 48-35 at half-time.

They limited the effectiveness of Jerry Williams, held Bears to three-of-14 three-point shooting and had depth off the bench to cover foul trouble and a hamstring pull for point guard TJ Walker.

Bears got within 64-59 early in the final period but a crowd of about 3,000, many of them packed into premium-price courtside seats, will have gone home with images of Rodman in their mind.

Coach Nick Nurse said: "Dennis was awesome. He says it's about entertainment and winning.

"He's so entertaining to watch and he tries like hell to win.

"He was unbelievable. I think he looked fabulous.

"He's great in the locker room, he's an A-plus all the way around."

And that verdict was echoed by the man who went man-to-man with him for much of the game, rising English star Andrew Sullivan.

The Eagles' top-scorer said: "It was all about business. I'm a fan and what he's done in his career is incredible but once the ball goes up that's out of the window.

"I don't think you could ever question his love or passion for the game.

"To be out here and work as hard as he did when really it was an entertainment thing is testament to the person he is."

Bears will now forfeit the points they picked up by beating Guildford Heat on Rodman's debut two and a half weeks ago, when Alleyne played.

That will delight critics who have been cynical about Rodman's presence in the BBL.

Their gripes have ranged from fears his deal would tarnish the public image of the BBL to groans about him wearing a T-shirt under his Bears vest in the Guildford game.

In fact, the league has no public image. It was muddling along amid obscurity and apathy until Rodman, a media entourage and fans of sport and pop culture arrived in force.

The Rodman adventure has created a tremendous buzz which will not be forgotten by those who witnessed it.

The very worst that can happen now is that things go back to how they were and people who were there to make their own minds up have some great memories.

Oh, and for those concerned about such matters, Dennis didn't wear a T-shirt last night.

Nurse is ready to see a bigger picture than a reversed result which could cost his team fifth or sixth place.

He insists he never fielded more than three players who actually need work permits.

And he has no regrets about allowing veteran Alleyne the chance to play alongside an NBA great.

Nurse said: "I presented the league with a scenario of special circumstances.

"Before the Guildford game they told me not to play one of my players.

"But I had documentation to say he (Alleyne) was approved to have his non-work permit status.

"I thought at that time it might be a one-off game.

"I couldn't seriously with two days' notice look one of my players in the eye and say 'I'm going to sit you out'.

"My players are going to be upset we're going to lose the two points.

"But you know something? It's two points and very small-minded thinking.

"If the guy at Guildford (Paul James) could coach they would have won the game anyway.

"On the positive side, it was still a pretty good night (last night) and Dennis did his part.

"I just feel bad for Drew especially and our team."