Leading 3-2 from the first leg in Peterborough two days earlier Lightning were unable to break down a stubborn Phantoms defence as they lost the second leg 4-0 despite outshooting their opponents to the tune of 54-38.

Phantoms, who had been outplayed by Lightning in the first game, clearly came to Milton Keynes with a defensive strategy, taking their chances when they came. And it worked.

Too many of Lightning's shots were from long range, giving Phantoms goalie Stephen Wall ample chances to save.

Lightning found themselves under pressure early on when Lewis Buckman and Joe Miller forced fines saves from goalie Barry Hollyhead. But Hollyhead was unable to stop Miller's follow up which put Phantoms ahead on the night – level on aggregate – at 6mins 43secs.

The hosts were handed a powerplay chance when James Morgan was called for slashing Ales Parez but the extra man advantage did not last long as Gary Clarke was penalised for hooking just 24 seconds later.

A further powerplay – this time after former Lightning captain Dwayne Newman was caught hooking Clarke – saw Milton Keynes putting pressure on the Phantoms net but the shots were not good enough.

Phantoms extended their lead to 2-0 – going ahead on aggregate – at 26mins 29secs when both Adam Carr and Mikko Skinnari were in the sin bin for hooking offences. Brent Gough set up James Hutchinson for a blue line blast which eluded Hollyhead.

Two more powerplay opportunities came Lightning's way in the latter half of the period but still they could make no impact although both Ross Bowers and Toni Alasaarela did go close but Phantoms were not allowing the hosts much space.

As Lightning sought to get back in the game Nick Poole brought a good save from Wall before the tie was well and truly wrapped up with Morgan supplying Craig Peacock for a rocket shot high into the net from the left of goal on 53mins 12secs.

With nothing to lose Lightning committed defenceman Skinnari – a former forward - into attack in the final few minutes but it was to no avail as Peacock struck again for Phantoms' fourth goal on 57mins 8secs to make it 6-3 on aggregate.

It was a disappointing end to Lightning's Knockout Cup campaign. Now they must regroup for the start of the play-offs tomorrow (Saturday) at Slough Jets – the return match at Planet Ice on Sunday at 6pm.