BASINGSTOKE Bison chances of making the semi-finals of the English Challenge Cup were dented, as they lost 6-4 at Milton Keynes Lightning.

The Herd produced a great comeback in the game to wipe out a three goal deficit with 13 minutes left, only for the home side to score twice more to take the victory.

The Herd now have just one point from three cup games against their English Premier League rivals, so one more defeat will finish their chances of top two finish in the group, which they need to make the semi-finals.

The Bison still minus defenceman Matt Selby, fell behind, as MK converted the first powerplay of the night, after Milan Kostourek fired through the legs of visiting goalie Dean Skinns.

The visitors tried to get back on terms, but the home side doubled their advantage before the first buzzer, as Stanislav Lascek made the most of a breakaway chance.

The second session saw the sides swap powerplay chances, before MK increased their lead to 3-0 thanks to a blue line bullet from defenceman Petr Horava.

The home side then ran into penalty trouble as Grant McPherson was joined in the sin bin by Horava.

The Bison made the most of the two man advantage, as Miroslav Vantroba’s excellent pass found Ciaran Long to fire home.

Unfortunately, MK hit back straight away as Leigh Jamieson rifled in a shot from the top of the circle.

Then just before the second buzzer, Long took exception to Kostourek digging for the puck under Skinns and both players were given 10 minute misconduct penalties by referee Dave Cloutman.

Trailing 4-1 going into the final 20 minutes, the Bison got just the start they were looking for, when Joe Greener was given too much time and scored at 42:15.

The Herd then reduced the lead to one goal as Grant Rounding scored his first league goal for the Bison, after great spade work from Tomas Karpov.

The comeback was complete at 47:43, as man-of-the-match Joe Rand set-up Vantroba to tie the game.

However, three minutes later, the Lightning struck a telling blow from Jordan Cownie.

The Herd then had to kill off a penalty on Joe Baird, which ate more time out of the clock.

Their fate was then sealed, as Long was denied by a pad save by Stephen Wall and seconds later Kostourek sealed the 6-4 victory.

Tonight, the Bison are on the road again to Swindon (face-off 6pm) in what is another cup and league game.