Manchester Phoenix 2-3 Sheffield Steeldogs Tony Hand’s Manchester Phoenix suffered a second home defeat in a row on Sunday night as rivals Sheffield hit the league leaders with a narrow defeat.

After winning a title battle game in Guildford on Saturday, winning 6-4, Phoenix were unable to hold onto a 2-0 lead the following night against Sheffield.

Robin Kovar and Jack Watkins put Phoenix two goals to the good late in the first period, but a costly turnover by the home side’s defence let the Steeldogs in before the break in a period which the hosts dominated.

Two goals inside the opening minute of the second period turned the game and the score for the visitors.

Firstly former Phoenix Brit Greg Wood struck the equalizer for the visitors before Sheffield star man Lubomir Korhon put the Steeldogs in front with his second of the night.

Phoenix dominated procession of the puck for the next 39 minutes of the game but were unable to find a way past netminder Dalibor Sedlar whilst the Steeldogs chippy game plan broke up any built up momentum Phoenix were building in a scrappy affair.

Manchester still sit well atop of the English Premier League level on points with the Basingstoke Bison and with three games in hand.

Hand said after the game: “It was very disappointing to be only one goal to the good after the first period. We lost a poor goal due to a defensive turnover and it cost us momentum. Credit to the Steeldogs, they kept to their game plan and took the points.”