THE Basingstoke Bison face a battle to hold on to second place in the English Premier League after losing 6-2 away at the Manchester Phoenix on Sunday night.
The Herd got off to the worst possible start, with goals from Tom Duggan and Michal Psurny putting Manchester 2-0 up with just 3:41 on the clock.
Joe Greener pulled one goal back before the end of the first period and Jaroslav Cesky's strike levelled the match at 37:51 - but there was to be no comeback.
Andrew McKinney put Manchester back in front almost exactly a minute later and it was 4-2 before the second buzzer, Joachim Flaten finding the net.
Further goals from Psurny and James Archer made it 6-2 in the third period, a result that leaves Manchester just five points behind the second-placed Bison with a game in hand.
See Thursday's Gazette for a full report and reaction to the game.
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