Phoenix claim vital two points

MANCHESTER Phoenix got back to winning ways with a hard fought 3-2 win at Sheffield Steeldogs.

Coming off the back of a 3-0 loss to Basingstoke Bison last week, goals from Tony Hand, Martin Cingel and Ladislav Harabin ensured a vital two points.

Phoenix got off to a perfect start when they punished a Steeldogs penalty.

With Lloyd Gisbon in the box, Juraj Faith found Hand and the veteran player-coach made no mistake.

Sheffield almost levelled on 10 minutes‚ Stephen Fone having his post to thank for the 'save'‚ then Phoenix doubled their advantage.

A man down through Tom Duggan's tripping penalty, Steeldogs got their powerplay set up wrong and Martin Cingel coolly slotted past Ben Bowns for a short-handed marker.

Janis Ozolins pulled one back before the end of the second period but Harabin made it 3-1 just before the half hour mark.

Phoenix resisted Sheffield's physical play and were good value for their lead‚ outshooting their opponents as they pushed for a killer goal.

But the Steeldogs punished their impotency in front of goal and got within one thanks to Greg Wood with six minutes left on the clock.

Phoenix made hard work of closing out the match and gave Sheffield the perfect chance in the 58th minute as Luke Boothroyd went to the bin.

The home side also pulled Bowns to make it six-on-four, but Manchester produced a fine defensive stint.

Phoenix are now sixth in the English Premier League standings, four points behind leaders Slough.