JACK Peacock had a dream debut for the Basingstoke Bison as he scored in their 4-2 loss in Milton Keynes last Friday, writes Graham Merry.

The Solent Devils man was drafted into the line-up for the MK games along with Buffalo sharp shooter Sam Hemmings-Maher as the Herd were without forwards Marcel Balaz, Paul Petts, Roman Cathcart and defenceman Brendan Baird.

Peacock struck in the ninth minute assisted by Edgars Landsbergs and Jay King to level things up, after MK man of the match Sam Talbot had netted the game opener.

Thanks to Jack Hopkins, Milton Keynes then took a 2-1 lead to the dressing room at the first break, but the Bison’s man of the match Gael Lubwele tied things up going into the final period.

The home side won the game with goals from Liam Stewart and Deivids Sarkanis.

Two days later on New Year’s Day on home ice, the Herd put in another solid performance, but once again the title-chasing Milton Keynes Lightning skated away to victory winning 5-1.

Liam Stewart and Mack Stewart had the visitors 2-0 up by 10:10.

The Bison hit back as Zack Milton converted a pass from Lubwele to cut the lead to one at the first interval.

The second session saw a blue line bullet from Ed Knaggs and an individual strike from Liam Stewart which made it 4-1 to the Lightning.

The only goal of the final 20 minutes was scored by MK’s Sean Norris.

Young Bison forward Ollie Hemmings-Maher capped another fine performance with the home side’s man of the match award.

Looking back at the two games with MK, Bison head coach Ashley Tait said: “We were unfortunate to get nothing out of the away trip, but were poor in the home game.”

Results over the festive period have seen the Herd slip four points behind Bristol who occupy the final play-off place, but they do have a game in hand.

The Bison have a great chance to close the gap this weekend as they entertain basement dwellers the Bees at home on Saturday (6.30pm), before a trip to mid table Telford on Sunday (6pm).

Tait said: “It is a big weekend and the start of a huge month looking at who we play.”