The hosts started Sunday night’s English Premier League Ice Hockey game encouragingly, with Vanya Antonov and James Galazzi coming close in the early stages.

Ciaran Long and Joe Greener had efforts for the Bison, but it was still somewhat against the run of play when they opened the scoring through Grant Rounding.

The end-to-end nature of the contest saw former Bee Ryan Watt go close for his new side, along with teammates Cameron Wynn and Michael Wales, while Radek Hubacek and Jan Bendik were not far away from scoring for the hosts.

After the Bees failed to score on a powerplay, their opponents did, as Aaron Connolly struck the puck past Tom Annetts.

However, they hit back just 21 seconds into the second period as Hubacek took advantage of a defensive error to cut the gap to 2-1.

The Bison regained their two-goal advantage just three minutes later as Wynn netted from a goalmouth scramble, and they were 5-1 ahead by the end of the period as Long and Stewart Mogg were on target – the latter scoring despite his team having Watt in the penalty box.

The Bees showed fantastic spirit in the final period, though, and came close to cutting the gap through both Antonov and JJ Pitchley.

Lukas Smital’s men kept up the pressure and youngster Tom Beesley’s goal visibly lifted them. Scott Spearing then just missed with a long-range effort and Antonov again forced another save.

Bracknell were dominant, and with Nicky Chinn off the ice for Bison, Sam Waller tipped home Bendik’s shot to make it 5-3.

The hosts continued to chase a draw and Matt Foord, Galazzi, Waller, Bendik and Hubacek were unlucky not to score, but ultimately the damage had been done and the rock bottom Bees will have to wait another week to end their winless run.

Bracknell were left heartbroken after losing 1-0 on penalties at Milton Keynes Lightning on Saturday.

The two sides played out a thrilling 4-4 draw in normal time, and they still could not be seperated after an additional five minutes.

But Foord, Hubacek and Antonov all had their penalties saved by Stephen Wall, and although Annetts denied Milan Kostourek, Blaz Emersic’s successful effort was enough to secure the win for the hosts.

The Bees had earlier made a brilliant start as Antonov opened the scoring after just two and a half minutes, although Adam Carr’s goal made it 1-1 at the end of the first period.

Curtis Huppe put the Lightning 2-1 ahead on a powerplay, but Foord made it 2-2 late in the second stanza.

Emersic and Jordan Cownie made it 4-2 to the hosts in the third period, but goals from Antonov and Hubacek gave the Bees hope, which was sadly dashed in the shootout.

The Bees travel to Manchester Phoenix on Saturday (6pm).