SWINDON Wildcats’ player-coach Aaron Nell was delighted to see his side extend their winning run to seven matches despite admitting they were not at their best against Telford Tigers.

In years gone by, Wildcats-Tigers have been feisty occasions, however, tonight’s game at the Link Centre lacked a cutting edge.

But as Wildcats opened their account in the Autumn Cup, all that mattered to the Cats chief was getting that win.

“It wasn’t a classic, but they are good team,” Nell said.

“We are the only team to beat them this season, it is another win for us which we are happy about, we will have to be better tomorrow night.

“That is seven in a row, and like I said we are the only team to beat them, they are tough team to play, they are very organised.

“It was a bit scrappy, I don’t think that either team were at their best.”

Cats came flying out of the blocks against Telford, who hosts Cats tomorrow night, as former Tiger Sam Zajac opened the scoring with only 62 seconds on the clock after he tucked the puck away following a lovely pass from Jan Kostal.

For the next 39 minutes game fell into a timid affair as neither side looked to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.

In final session of the match, Telford captain Jason Silverthorn levelled matters, before player of the match Floyd Taylor drilled the puck home early in the 51st minute.

The Shropshire side searched for an equaliser and pulled their netminder Denis Bell with more than a minute left on the clock but Cats were able to hold firm.

“It was (quiet in the opening two periods), then they got a goal in third period which you could see coming.

“Then Floydy got a big goal, he has had a lot of chances this year, but he scored when it counts. Last week it was Bully (Sam Bullas) getting the big goal, this week it was Floydy.

“It was a great shot, he has got a really good shot, he just needs to get it off at the right times and he did that tonight.

“He was solid all night and he was physical. Floydy and Bully have got to be physical, because that is when the goals will come.”

With league honours and the NIHL Cup to play this season, Nell also wants to bring the Autumn Cup to the Link Centre with former English Premier League rivals Telford, Hull Pirates, Basingstoke Bison, Peterborough Phantoms and Sheffield Steeldog also chasing the silverware.

“It is a tough competition to win,” the Cats chief added. “There are six really good teams in it and it is another cup we want to go for, it is the first trophy we want to win.”