Steel defender Phoenix Karaka enjoyed a strong opening half as she put considered pressure on Pulse goal shoot Ameliaranne Wells who continues to hold her starting spot ahead of veteran Irene van Dyk.
After three quarters, the Pulse held a 43-41 advantage but few people in Arena Manawatu could have predicated with any certainty who would finish on top.
The Steel don't bring too many tricks to the court and you don't need to when you have a 1.98m goal shoot.
Fowler-Reid, a Jamaican international, is the tallest player in the competition and the Steel look to get her the ball as much as possible.
Pulse defender Ama Agbeze was injected to the contest in the third quarter and caused some problems for Fowler-Reid with her high-energy play.
Agbeze may have felt a heightened level of home support given she has been playing club netball in Manawatu recently.
The Pulse began the fourth quarter with a 6-1 run, which helped them establish a 49-42 advantage, but it wouldn't be a Pulse game without some final stanza nerves.
The Steel clawed their way back to within two goals with less than three minutes remaining and the Pulse's fourth-quarter meltdown was complete when the Steel drew level.
The Steel and Pulse both moved to eight competition points with the result and they will continue to battle for the third playoff spot from the New Zealand conference during the final two rounds. The Mystics and Magic will likely finish in the top two.
Central Pulse 55 (Ameliaranne Wells 35/41, Jodi Brown 20/22) Southern Steel 55 (Jhaniele Fowler-Reid 40-46, Te Paea Selby-Rickit 12/16, Brooke Leaver 3/3) 1Q: 15-14, halftime: 28-29, 3Q: 43-41
