Stephen Wallace scores for Phoenix against Bracknell

Tony Hand reckons Phoenix took a massive step in the right direction with victory over Bracknell on Sunday.

All three lines came up with goals and the defence limited the Bees to just 18 shots.

Phoenix needed the win after a close defeat in Swindon on Saturday and player-coach Hand said: “We needed the win but I was pleased with the way we played over the whole weekend.

“We had 45 shots in Swindon and scored two goals and against Bracknell we had 45 shots and scored five goals but we only conceded 18.

Juraj Faith scores the first goal for Phoenix against Bracknell

“The guys are working hard defensively and we played a really solid game because Bracknell are a strong side.”

Phoenix took the lead against the Bees in the second minute through Juraj Faith and further goals from Steve Wallace and Slava Koulikov gave them a 3-1 first period lead.

Faith added his second two minutes into the third but the Bees fought back with two goals in two minutes from Peter Jasik and Lukas Smital to make it 4-3.

Brad Watchorn tries his luck against Ladzi Harabin and ends up with a match penalty

With ten minutes left of the third period Tom Duggan found the net to give Phoenix a cushion as Phoenix played out the remaining minutes .

Phoenix battled to a 4-2 defeat in Swindon on Saturday night.

The game was in the balance until the last minute when Phoenix withdrew netminder Stephen Fone for the extra skater but the Wildcats scored in the empty net.

Martin Cigel and Faith scored the Phoenix goals.