THE title nerves are certainly jangling for Blackburn Hawks. They suffered a costly blow in losing 5-4 at home to Nottingham Lions, which dropped them to third place English National Ice Hockey League.

That means with just one game of the campaign remaining, tension in the Hawks camp is at a peak as they await Sunday's make-or-break fixture with current leaders Billingham Bombers.

Due to the setback against Nottingham, Peter Sheffield's men must now triumph in that final game if they are to secure the league title.

If they fail to win the title will go to Billingham.

"We were disappointed to lose against the Lions to say the least, said assistant manager Graham Lomax.

"We gave away silly penalties at costly times and we were punished.

"There were some poor individual performances on Sunday. We appear to have hit a flat patch right at the death after we were flying so high which is disappointing.

"We have given ourselves a bit of a mountain to climb, but we are more than capable of beating anyone if we apply ourselves.

"We couldn't get up any momentum against Nottingham. We were very weak, had no punch or bite and seemingly no passion. "

The defeat was only the third of the league season for Hawks.

The visitors took a surprise three-goal lead thanks to two goals from Alex Karsay and a strike from Tom Griffiths.

Hawks pulled two back late in the first period through the outstanding Bobby Haig before Colin Cannon added another for the Lions.

An effort from Michael Brunton and a third of the evening for Haig drew the scores level, but Hawks hopes were finally dashed when, just 30 seconds later, Nottingham nicked their fifth and decisive goal