Manchester Phoenix 3-4 Peterborough Phantoms

REIGNING EPL champions Manchester Phoenix suffered another home defeat on Thursday after going down to the Peterborough Phantoms.

Tony Hands side showed little fight in a dire performance that lacked creativity against a resolute Peterborough outfit.

The loss sees Phoenix sit in seventh place in the league table following five straight league defeats, four of which have been single goal deficits.

The game started in the worst possible fashion for the home side as they dug themselves a 3-0 hole in the first period from which they could not recover with goals from Edgars Bebris (2) and Luke Ferrara doing the damage.

Adam Walker managed to pull a goal back before the break with a deflected shot past Phantoms netminder Janis Auzins, but the home side were unable to add to their tally in the second period with Phoenix unable to create any clear cut chances or momentum.

In the final period, Robin Kovar struck early to give the home fans some hope but Luke Ferrara netted his second to restore the visitors two goal lead.

Hand netted a late third for Phoenix whilst they were killing a Joe Graham penalty, but it proved too little too late as the visitors secured the points.

Defenceman James Neil said after the game: “We are very disappointed with the result tonight. We should not be going 3 goals down at home and that left us with a mountain to climb. We will need to re-group and build momentum for a huge weekend against Bracknell and Basingstoke.”