Basileios the governor of Bulgaria persuaded Michael the akolouthos to abandon plans for a battle and to withdraw, partly because he feared that Michael might steal a common victory. Tyrach, the Pecheneg commander, realising that the Romans had decided to lift their siege of Great Preslav and withdraw, sent troops to the passes they were going to march through, ambushed them, and most were annihilated. Basileios paid with his life, falling from his horse into a ditch and being killed by some Pechenegs. Michael escaped with other survivors to Adrianople