Lucky Phoenix dtruggle for their win

LADY LUCK smiled on Manchester Phoenix as they ground out a 4-2 win over title-chasing Nottingham Panthers.

Both sides were dreadful throughout yesterday’s Elite Ice Hockey League clash and it took a lapse of concentration from Michel Robinson in the Panthers’ goal to let in Phoenix.

Eight minutes from time and tied two apiece, a feeble shot from Manchester’s Brett Clouthier - who has been off the pace all season - squeezed under the Canadian to give the home side the lead.

Nottingham opened the scoring on 17 minutes through Brendan Cook but

David Beauregard notched his 35th of the season on the powerplay to level it up only for Kevin Bergin to put the Panthers back in front.

Beauregard struck again to tie it up before Clouthier’s marker and Nathan Ward then made it safe with an empty netter one second from time.

On Saturday, Manchester went down 3-1 in Belfast who went three to the good through Evan Cheverie, George Awada and Steve Thornton before Phoenix player-coach Tony Hand pulled back a consolation with a minute to go.

He had earlier spent 10 minutes in the penalty box for abusing an official after he was penalised for holding.