Despite making a fast start, Lukas Smital’s men fell to a 4-2 reverse at home to high-flying Guildford Flames on Sunday.

Matt Foord whistled a shot just past the post in the opening exchanges, before Radek Hubacek saw a shot saved by Guildford netminder James Hadfield.

However, the visitors hit the front when Marcus Kristofferson found a way past Alex Mettam.

Having successfully defended a Guildford powerplay, the Bees found themselves 2-0 down barely seconds later as Branislav Kvetan smashed a shot home.

The Bees continued to show great heart, though, and after Josh Smith forced a smart save out of Hadfield, James Galazzi took advantage of a powerplay to ram a shot into the Flames’ net.

Matt Towalski shot just over the bar early in the second stanza, before Scott Spearing and Guildford man Roman Tvrdon enjoyed a mini scuffle which resulted in them both being ordered off the ice, the latter receiving an extra 10 minutes for sarcastically clapping the referee.

However, after Smital and Hubacek both went close for Bees, Flames captain Danny Meyers struck with a long-range shot to make it 3-1.

A David Longstaff goal just 37 seconds into the third period all but sealed the game for the visitors, and although Vanya Antonov grabbed one back for the Bees, it was another night of misery at The Hive for the rock bottom side, with Harvey Stead named as their man-of-the-match.

Bracknell suffered their worst defeat of the season – a 10-1 mauling at Swindon Wildcats – on Saturday evening. Hubacek scored the consolation goal on a difficult night for the outclassed Bees.

Smital’s men will look to snap out of their dismal run this coming weekend, although they face a pair of tough fixtures at Basingstoke Bison on Saturday (6.30pm) and at home to runaway leaders Telford Tigers on Sunday (6pm).