CAPTAIN Luke Boothroyd netted twice and claimed the man of the match award on Sunday night as Manchester Phoenix brushed aside title challengers Basingstoke.

Phoenix, who lost 7-2 on Saturday at Milton Keynes Lightning, bounced back with an impressive performance against one their main rivals for the league title.

However, Tony Hand’s Phoenix fell behind to a Milos Melicherik strike before finding their feet but netted twice in 31 seconds to take the lead.

Defenceman Ben Wood fired in a laser equalising strike which Bison netminder Dean Skinns struggled to see before Frantisek Bakrlik put the home side in front shortly after on his return from injury.

Boothroyd then took centre stage in the second period with a pair of goals and Phoenix thought they had made it 5-1 only for a second Bakrlik strike to be washed out by the officials for an injury to Bison netminder Skinns.

Bison reduced the deficit to two goals late in the period but a James Archer marker three minutes from time sealed the points.

Boothroyd said after the match: “It was vital we bounced back after Saturday’s result and we were determined to get a result. The whole team worked hard and played well and deserved the 2 points.”