BASINGSTOKE Buffalo maintained top spot in National League South Two West after they drew 2-2 with early-season title favourites Bristol Pitbulls.

The home side gave a debut to Matt Levy and dominated the first 20 minutes, with Daniel Lackey and Greg Martyn the first to test visiting goalie John Dibble. Then, on the home side’s first powerplay of the night, Neill Leary was denied close in from a Lackey cross.

However, soon after, still with the man advantage, Mark Pitts found Matt Lawday in the slot and he fired home at 10:42.

The Buffalo’s Roberto Tambellini then had a breakaway chance, but Dibble came up with the save, before the home side’s man-of-the-match, Jordan Lawday, was called into action to make a couple of saves.

The home side ended the session strongly, with Tambellini and Martyn both going close.

The second session saw the visitors have a couple of chances, with Grant Richardson and man-of-the-match Alan Armour going close early on.

The Buffalo then doubled their lead at 21:39, when Lackey netted Ryan Sutton’s rebound.

The Pitbulls piled on the pressure, but Lawday produced a string of excellent saves and then Pitts broke away, but Dibble came up with a good stop.

Bristol finally scored at 37:06, when Jamie Newton’s shot across the face of goal hit the back leg of Lawday, sending the puck into the net.

This set up a tense final 20 minutes, with the visitors having the upper hand, and they scored an equaliser at 49:48 through Josh Dolphin.

A penalty on Ashley Skinns saw Bristol go all out for the winner, but the Buffalo defence stood tall and kept them out.

Then after Armour threw his stick at the puck in centre ice and drew a penalty, it was the home side’s chance to steal the game.

They almost did as Sutton skated down the left wing, beat the last defenceman and nearly slid the puck under the visitors’ goalie with just 68 seconds left in the game.

The league leaders continue their title bid with a trip to the Isle of Wight on Sunday, where they face the Wightlink Tigers.

Before the Buffalo drew with Bristol, the under-12 Bison lost 7-2 to visiting Chelmsford. Kody Sewell scored both their goals and Sophie Halstead picked up one assist.