BLACKBURN Hawks suffered their first set-back of the play-offs going down 1-3 against bogey team Sheffield Scimitars at the Arena.

The Hawks were always chasing the game after Sheffield went two up, but a Neal Haworth strike signalled hopes of a comeback.

They didn't last, however, as the Scimitars scored again to lift the points.

Karl Holmes took over from Colin Downie in goal and the unbeaten Hawks were strengthened by the return of Andy Sheffield, Lance Derbyshire and Eddie Cooper.

It was the Scimitars, though, who always looked the most likely as they out-shot their hosts by 42 to 24.

The visitors made the first breakthrough in the 19th minute, when Carl and Shaun Ashton combined to set up Neil Hardy to score. And five minutes after the break, they doubled the lead through John Ross.

Blackburn fought back soon after through Haworth, with player-coach Bobby Haig and David Sheffield claiming assists.

In an exciting third session, Haig pulled the Hawks' netminder in an all-out attempt to salvage a draw.

The make-or-break' move back-fired as Ross broke clear and scored in the empty net to wrap up the game.

In seven matches this season, the Hawks have now failed to beat Sheffield.

"We were never at the races in this one and the better team won on the night," explained a disappointed Haig.

"But it was 2-1 for a long time without us playing well and they only scored when we presented an empty net.

"We're not out of it yet, though, we both have five points although Sheffield have a game in hand. We have to go to their place and we're still fully focused on winning."

Apart from Sheffield, the Hawks still have to play away at Nottingham Lions before the ENHL North qualifier is decided. This weekend, there's a break from play-off action as the Hawks are involved in the Fife Easter Tournament at the Kirkcaldy rink in Scotland.