SWINDON Wildcats head coach Ryan Aldridge said the result was ‘never in doubt’ as his side completed a comfortable 5-1 victory over Milton Keynes Lightning.

The score-line might have flattered the Link Centre side, who started the night slowly, but soon found their stride in the second period with a strong defensive display.

Aaron Nell hit a hat-trick to add to a wonder strike from Floyd Taylor and a late goal from Tomas Kana to add some gloss to the scoreboard.

Aldridge was pleased with his sides performance and said it was a world away from the side that got dumped out of the Challenge Cup by Manchester Phoenix last week.

“I think the last five minutes flattered us to be honest with you, but I think the boys played great,” he said.

“I thought defensively our team defence was good tonight, we always had three lanes filled and we made it difficult for them to have good entry.

“I honestly didn’t think we were going to lose at all tonight, especially when we went up that first goal.

“Although it wasn’t a whitewash I was confident we were going to win.

“The first five minutes you could tell the boys were switched on.

“I think the first two periods it could have been more we had a lot of opportunities very close.

“The way we played last Wednesday to this Wednesday was two different hockey teams.”

Aldridge, who announced on Tuesday that he was leaving at the end of the season, still showed the same commitment to the cause to put to bed any fears fans may have had of their season petering out.

Now Aldridge believes the team are playing for their jobs next season with their next coach, Stevie Lyle, watching their every move from the back.

“For me I am still going to be the same. It’s my home town club and I am still going to care about it,” he added.

“I am sure I will be in the background for many years to come but it is good to play like that.

“The guys have got to play for me but they have also got to play for Stevie (Lyle) now.

“He is the one taking the job next year and it is handy the coach is here because guys have got to play.

“It is not like the new coach is coming in from elsewhere where they can maybe take the rest of the next year off. If they want jobs they have to play for him so it is a good situation to be in.”