Coventry Phoenix put three past Kenilworth Wardens to clinch their first win of the season and leap off the bottom of the table.

League leaders Wardens beat Phoenix 5-3 in the seasoner opener, but were without 12 players for the reverse fixture.

Despite the weakened squad the hosts created a few half chances in the first 30 minutes but fell behind when visiting captain Blake Kassar ran through to score through Andy Whitehouse's legs.

Wardens rallied and had a chance to equalize when an Eamonn Richards corner was cleared off the line.

And as with their opener, Phoenix turned defence into attack with Kassar running through on goal, rounding Whitehouse and slotting home from a tight angle.

Wardens were given a lifeline moments after the break, when Adam Hnat was fouled in the area, giving Andy Legg the chance to slot home from the spot for his eight of the campaign.

As Kenilworth pushed for an equaliser Jack Carroll restored Phoenix's two goal cushion from a tight angle.

Their lead was cut back to one on 90 minutes - a corner from Richards was met by Ryan Oldham, his effort was cleared off the line, but the rebound fell to Dan Twigger who volleyed the ball into the back of the net.

However there was not enough time left to pull the game back.

Speaking after the game manager Richards said: "We were missing too many players today to be competitive and the some of the players we had on the pitch didn't step up.

"We're often carried by certain individuals, with good players around them, today we needed those good players to carry the others, which they were unable to do.

"Phoenix should have beaten us the first game of the season and we were lucky to win - they're a good side and the table didn't reflect that today.

"We know to be competitive we need to play better than that- that's not the standards we set. However, this whole week's been horrific, from having 35 each week across two sides to having 22 isn't ideal. So I appreciate the players who were available today."