The Invicta Dynamos dug deep but lost by a slim line one goal difference as they look to turn around their fortunes in the home leg.

Invicta had the luxury of a full roster, with Mark Lee chosen ahead of Mark McGill in the net.

The opening three minutes produced little in terms of shots but the puck was still being played end to end. Callum Fowler registered the first shot of the game at 03:30 but his shot was comfortably saved by Matt Colclough.

Fowler would again be denied after six minutes before Nick Compton put Wightlink ahead on 09:10 after Mark Lee saved an initial shot from Carl Graham.

Invicta drew level on 10:24 when Arran Strawson hit a shot that deflected past a helpless Matt Colclough with Michal Oravec claiming the assist.

The second period started with the Dynamos defending a Billy Phillips penalty successfully.

Mark Lee was busier in the second period than he was in the first with saves from Simon Hobbis and Nick Compton but was unable to deny Richard Facey who put the home team ahead on 28:14.

Both Billy Phillips and Juraj Huska tried their luck from distance but Matt Colclough kept the visitors at bay.

The third period started better for Dynamos as the fast pace of the game carried through the whole game.

However, it was the Wightlink Raiders who scored next to gain a 3-1 lead through Jaroslav Cesky after being set-up by Alex Barker on 46:05.

Matt Colclough went on to deny Anthony Leone and Juraj Huska before Invicta pulled a goal back on 53.13 after Billy Phillips tapped in on Andy Smith cutback.

Callum Fowler and Juraj Huska would be denied again as Wightlink closed the game to take a 3-2 lead into the second leg.

Picture supplied by David Trevallion.