BLACKBURN Hawks' faint hopes of reaching this season's play-offs lingers on.

The Hawks rounded off their regular league programme with a hard-fought win at Grimsby. And 24 hours later back at the Arena, they crashed to cup defeat in what could be the last ever clash with North West rivals Altrincham Aces.

Eight different players made the score-sheet as the Hawks beat Grimsby Buffaloes 8-6 over on Humberside.

On form, the Hawks should always beat the Buffaloes, but this was a bit too close for comfort.

"Never mind, we'll take any kind of win at this stage," said Hawks' player-coach Bobby Haig.

"Grimsby is a horrible rink to play on, it's so small. You don't get any room or time on the puck. It's just one shooting-fest and you get hit all over the place. It's a case of do the best you can and get away!"

Michael Brunton scored first for the Hawks and there strikes from Gordon Whyte, Chris Black, Peter Tapp, Jamie Thompson, Adam Fuller, Eddie Cooper and coach Haig. The Buffaloes' hero was Nigel Chambers who hit five past Colin Downie.

The Hawks now await the result of next Sunday's crucial showdown on Humberside between Kingston Jets and Flintshire Freeze. Kingston need to win to secure their place in the play-offs, but if they slip up the Hawks will qualify.

Meanwhile Altrincham Aces, who are due to disband at the end of March, punished the Hawks one last time with a 6-2 Northern Cup reverse at the Arena.

"They did punish us, but we've only ourselves to blame," explained a very disconsolate Haig.

"Altrincham are very good at power plays and we were indisciplined. We gave them too many penalties and paid the price. I was confident of beating them, so I am very disappointed with the way we lost, especially with such a big crowd behind us."

More than 2,000 spectators gathered to see the last in the series of epic 'derby' encounters between the Hawks and the Aces.

Greg Allen opened the scoring on 10 minutes for the Aces, but Haig equalised four minutes later to tie the scores at the end of the first period.

The visitors grabbed a brace after the re-start to go into the final session 3-1 up. And they doubled that without reply before Haig hit his second in the 57th minute. It was to prove scant consolation as the Aces ran out worthy winners.

As they await the outcome of the play-offs saga, the Hawks have arranged tough back-to-back challenge matches with Milton Keynes.

The Lightning, currently riding high at the top of the English Premier League are at the Arena on Saturday and the Hawks travel for the return on Sunday.

HAWKS...2

ALTRINCHAM ACES...6