Leeds Knights 3-2 Telford Tigers: 'No faulting' Tigers after narrow loss

Struggling Tigers are bottom of the pile in the National League but hope to take some spirit from their weekend double-header against leaders Knights, which both ended in narrow defeats.

Sunday night's 3-2 reverse in Leeds followed the script from the previous night on Tigers' home rink as Knights struck late to claim victory.

Telford had twice equalised through marksman Vladimir Luka in a busy second period but despite heroics from man of the match Brad Day in the Tigers' net it was Matt Haywood who proved the two-goal match-winning hero for Leeds.

Improving Tigers had won four times in their last six matches in all competitions heading into the Leeds clashes and the head coach took heart from the results.

Watkins said: "It was another night where we could have had something from the game, it is tough to lose when we play hard, with a lot of tenacity and spirit.

"I can’t fault the players tonight, we had some solid goaltending with Brad (Day) stepping up with big saves when we needed him and once again our penalty kill was outstanding, blanking a very good power play unit all weekend. 

"Unfortunately, you don’t get any points for good performances but we can take positives out of this weekend and lots of belief in how we need to compete.”

The first period ended goalless in a tight contest in Yorkshire but Watkins' visitors were undone just 12 seconds into the second period when Noah McMullin helped his side into the lead.

Tigers dug in and responded well as influential forward Luka squeezed a shot under home netminder Sam Gospel five minutes later.

Frustratingly for the away side Leeds were back on the offensive and three minutes later Haywood broke through for a tap in to restore his side's lead.

But Telford, beaten 5-3 with a late flurry on home ice on Saturday night, gritted their teeth with Luka on target again for 2-2 three minutes before the second period ended.

The third period was nip and tuck but Haywood struck again six minutes from the end to earn Leeds the narrow victory. Tigers can bounce back with a crucial double-header against fellow strugglers Berkshire Bees on the road this Saturday (6.30pm) and at home on Sunday (6pm).