Highlights: Telford Tigers v Milton Keynes Lightning

Telford Tigers emerged from a tough weekend with their first victory in eight games – and player-coach Tom Watkins believes his side are at last benefitting from "luck on the bounce".

A 6-5 victory over Basingstoke Bison on Saturday was followed by a 4-1 defeat at home to Milton Keynes Lightning last night as the Tigers drew closer to ninth-placed Peterborough in the EPL standings.

That win over Basingstoke was marred by controversy, with the Bison claiming a late goal in overtime had crossed the line, but with it having been ruled out, Telford snatched victory on penalty shots.

Watkins was happy to see his side enjoy a hefty slice of luck – but he believes hard work also played a big part after they started the third period 5-2 down.

He said: "It was a great win against Basingstoke. We came from two behind, and then came back in the third period. They guys really dug in, and perhaps we had a little bit of luck.

"Basingstoke felt the puck had gone across the line in overtime. Maybe it did, but we have had so much bad luck this year it is about time we had a little bit of luck on the bounce. Then the guys did a great job on the shootout."

Saturday's win left Telford on equal points with Peterborough Phantoms at the bottom of the English Premier League, with both teams looking to haul in Bracknell Bees, who occupy the final play-off spot.

Sunday was, however, a different story for Telford, as a hard-working Milton Keynes side restricted the home side to just one goal, courtesy of Scott McKenzie in the third period.

But with the Tigers managing to match the visitors in terms of shots on goal, Watkins was happy with his side's performance.

He added: "I am pleased with the guys and they battled hard. If you look at the shots on goal, it was 43 to 43. We have them a couple of shots from the top of the zone and it is hard for Declan Ryan to see through traffic.

"The wingers just need to be a bit tighter on the point and defence have got to do a better job of boxing out so he can see more of the puck.

"But we have just put 43 shots on Milton Keynes, so we should be pretty pleased with that."

Milton Keynes assistant coach Lewis Clifford, meanwhile, said his side we happy to claim the win after that late Telford goal had put the game into balance during the third period.

He said: "Telford always give us a hard time and they have got a lot of young, hard working guys.

"They go for 60 minutes, as proved by the goal they got in the third period, but luckily we got another at the end to make it a but more comfortable."

Telford face a double header of home games next weekend, with Peterborough Phantoms the visitors on Saturday, before a clash with Bracknell Bees on Sunday.