BASINGSTOKE Bison cut the lead at the top of the English Premier League to four points, after leaders Telford lost in Swindon and the Herd won a thriller over visiting Milton Keynes Lightning 3-2.

It was visiting MK who started the contest more strongly, even if they were missing three British forwards and only used import Milan Kostourek sparingly.

However, a high sticking penalty on Stanislav Lascek kicked the Bison offence into action and they then had the better of the opening session.

The home side were given their second powerplay of the night, after the very lively Bison man-of-the-match Tomas Karpov was hooked by Blaz Emersic.

Joe Greener was the man to hit the target as he fired in from just inside the blue line at 18:53.

The second session belonged to the home side as they piled on the pressure and Aaron Connolly nearly scored in the opening minute.

A tame penalty call on Doug Sheppard for tripping gave the visitors their first powerplay, but it was the Bison’s Stuart Mogg, who looked good on the penalty kill all night, who went closest to scoring.

The Bison doubled their lead at 26:15, as Michael Wales and Karpov combined for Grant Rounding to tap home at the far post.

The visitors were then given a chance to cut the lead, as Connolly, going at full speed, decided to skate across the goal crease instead of crashing into the net. In doing so, he touched the visiting goalie and picked up a harsh interference penalty from referee Roman Szucs.

The Herd killed the penalty again and then Lewis Hook caught Ciaran Long in the face with his stick and amazingly there was no penalty.

Soon after, the Bison made it 3-0, as Rounding skated away and fed the puck to Karpov, who fired into the roof of the net at 36:21.

MK were given a lifeline in the first minute of the final period, as Hook were caught in the face by Joe Baird. This time the inconsistent Szucs, much to the displeasure of the home fans, called the penalty.

The visitors made full use of the powerplay, as man-of-the-match Emersic made the most of a missed offside call to fire home.

This spurred MK into action and Lascek went close and then Kostourek, who iced for a fair chuck of the last 20 minutes, skated away with Wales’ stick. The home fans screamed for a holding the stick penalty, but they were left disappointed.

Lightning’s Leigh Jamieson and Lascek then tested Skinns before Kostourek put his stick under the arm of Long and skated away. The inconsistent Szucs this time called the penalty on Long for holding the stick.

Once again, MK took full advantage of the powerplay and, after an intended clearance, hit the back of a Bison player. Emersic scored his second of the game at 53:57.

The visitors went looking for an equaliser, but despite pulling their goalie in the last 34 seconds, they were unable to find it.