BASINGSTOKE Bison head coach Doug Sheppard is looking for his side to bounce back to winning ways in the English Premier League.

The Herd saw their lead at the top sliced to just two points last weekend, after losses against Sheffield and Telford.

Next up for them is a rare Friday night game (7.30pm) and a visit from second placed Milton Keynes Lightning.

MK have won their last five league games, but have lost on their two previous visits to the Basingstoke Arena this season. 

On Saturday night (6pm), the Bison travel to the Hull Pirates, who only a fortnight ago, they beat in Humberside.

Last weekend, the Pirates had a mixed weekend with a superb 5-1 win over the title chasing Peterborough Phantoms, before losing to bottom side Bracknell.

Looking ahead to the weekend, Sheppard said: "After the disappointment of last weekend, we have to bounce back and I am sure we will be hungry to do this."

Last night, the Bison lost 1-0 in the first leg of their EPL Cup semi-final at home to the Guildford Flames, as Matt Towe scored the winner.

The second leg is at the Spectrum on Wednesday. And the winners will meet Peterborough in the final, after they beat MK 3-0 last night. 

Any fans wanting to watch a game on Saturday night in Basingstoke, can do so as the Buffalo take on the visiting Wightlink Tigers (6.30pm).