BRAEHEAD CLAN fell off the title pace this weekend in what was a disastrous couple of days for the Glasgow side.

Going into Saturday night's away trip to Nottingham Panthers having won eight of their last nine league games, Ryan Finnerty's men crashed to a 5-3 defeat to the side that last month dumped them out of the Challenge Cup.

Things did not improve much the following night after travelling back up to Clyde side from the National Ice Centre as Clan's purple patch at home hit the skids against Fife Flyers.

At the Braehead Arena on Sunday night Braehead were actually trailing 3-0 in the second period before a Jamie Fritsch effort 22 seconds before the break gave them some hope.

Seven minutes into the third and Alex Leavitt pulled Clan even closer before Fritsch's second almost took the roof off.

However, the late rally wasn't enough to save Braehead, as Patrick Cullen struck less than two minutes later to give Fife all two points.

To top things off, club captain Matt Keith spent the weekend in hospital following a hit in Saturday's clash with the Panthers.

A Braehead statement said: "Following a hit by Nottingham Panthers forward Cam Janssen, Clan captain Matt Keith has unfortunately been admitted into hospital in the East Midlands.

"Keith is currently undergoing assessments and tests, as soon as we know more we will update you accordingly."

The double defeat mean the Scots, who sit in fourth, fall further behind league leaders Cardiff Devils who beat Coventry Blaze on league duty, as the gap opens up to nine points.