Blackburn Hawks opened their home English National Ice Hockey Northern Division campaign with a 4-3 defeat at home to Nottingham Lions.

Having taken a penalty in the opening minute, the home team got off to a dream start, Harry Hall giving the Hawks an early lead.

Within two minutes, the visitors were gifted a powerplay opportunity.

Blackburn failed to clear their defensive zone, with the Lions capitalising to tie the game.

Opportunities continued to come for both teams, as they produced some fast, free-flowing hockey, with each keeper being regularly tested.

However, another moment of indecision in the Blackburn defence saw the Lions take the lead for the first time.

The advantage was to last less than a minute, as the home team levelled things up.

Player-coach Wayne Slater ghosted in from the opponent's blue line, and hit a powerful slapshot straight past the motionless Nottingham netminder.

The second period was equally fast and furious, but the chances could not be taken. As the teams came out for the third, tied at 2-2, the points were up for grabs.

The crowd were embroiled in a pulsating encounter, and began wild celebrations when Chris Arnone drilled a slapshot beyond the keeper.

But the goal was 'chalked off' by the referee, who had spotted an infringement on the netminder, a decision which mystified everyone in the Arena.

This seemed to rattle the home team, and minutes later the Lions restored their lead. This doubled shortly after, when a speculative shot squeezed past the impressive goaltender, Adam Baxendale.

Blackburn refused to lie down however, and having won a face-off in the opposing zone, were able to force the puck over the line, to set up a grandstand final minute's play.

The Hawks laid siege on their opponents, bombarding the net with shots, and came agonisingly close to forcing a tie, when the puck flashed across the front of the goal, but no-one could add the final touch.