SWINDON Wildcats were left ruing a poor start as they succumb to just their second defeat on the road this season with a 4-2 defeat to Peterborough Phantoms.

It was the worst possible start for the Cats as three first period goals for the hosts from Luke Ferrara, Slav Koulikov and Will Weldon gave them a commanding lead before an early goal in the second period extended their advantage.

Swindon got themselves back into the game when Lee Richardson replied within a minute and Thomasz Malasinski scored half way through the second period, to give the travelling fans hope of an unlikely come-back.

Despite a spirited third period display from Swindon they were unable to break down a Phantoms team who were happy with their two goal lead.

Like in Sheffield last week, when Swindon had not had a game on the Saturday, it took a while for Swindon to get going in the match and by the time they had it was too far out of reach.

Swindon fell a goal behind after nine minutes, just moments after Symonds was sent to the sin bin for hooking.

The hosts made the most of the extra man when Darius Pliskauskas found Luke Ferrara who fired home from close range.

Lyle was again tested three minutes later when Baranyk was put through one-on-one with the Welsh net minder but the keeper did just enough as the puck dropped agonisingly past the post.

Swindon appeared to have calmed the early storm from the Phantoms but it was a sense of Déjà vu as the visitors were again punished when the hosts had a power play.

This time it was Smith who was off the ice for tripping and straight from the penalty the puck fell to Koulikov who slid across the face of the Swindon goal and scored in the opposite corner.

Swindon had barely caught their breath when the Phantoms added insult to injury to score again and wrap up a poor first period for the visitors.

Just twenty seven seconds had passed when Weldon was the man to get his name on the score-sheet as his shot proved too hot to handle for Lyle and the puck trickled over the line.

It was a flying start to the second period with two goals in as many minutes.

Peterborough came out of the changing rooms and after just one minute further extended their lead.

However Wildcats were quick to respond after Richardson put the puck between the legs of Janis Auzins within a minute.

A Wildcat come back looked on when Malasinski scored his fourth goal in his last two matches on the road.

Nell won the puck behind Auzins’ goal and pulled the back to Malasinski, who fired hard home into the roof of the net.

Wildcats started the third period brightly but were unable to take advantage of their possession in the Phantom half, and even a last ditch attempt with Ryan Aldridge bringing Lyle off in the last two minutes was not enough to force a way back for Swindon.