The imperial counterattack fails at the battle of Skafida near Sozopolis, where the co-emperor Michael IX Palaiologos is turned to flight.

The imperial army has an advantage in the beginning and manages to push the Bulgarians across the river.

They are so infatuated with the chase of the retreating soldiers that they crowd on the bridge, which had been sabotaged before the battle by the Bulgarians, and breaks down.

The river is very deep at this place and many imperial soldiers panic and drown, which helps the Bulgarians snatch victory from defeat.

The Bulgarians capture many imperial soldiers and, according to custom, release the common soldiers and hold only the nobles for ransom.

Nevertheless, the war continues, with Michael IX and Theodore Svetoslav taking turns pillaging each other's lands.