SWINDON Wildcats produced a sterling defensive display to claim a hard-fought victory at Peterborough Phantoms tonight.

The Cats’ net was not breached throughout the final 50 minutes at Planet Ice, with keeper Stevie Lyle pulling off a string of fine saves to lead a fine rearguard effort.

Things were finely poised with Cats leading 3-2 going into the closing stages, but with the hosts forced to chase the game, space began to open up for Swindon and they were able to put the game to bed with two further goals late on.

The contest got off to an action-packed start, with three goals coming inside the opening two minutes.

Cats were caught napping and fell behind with less than 30 seconds on the clock as Milan Baranyk found himself free to fire past Lyle.

But the visitors were quick to respond and Adam Harding’s goal brought the scores level before a fine strike by Jonas Hoog put Swindon ahead soon afterwards.

From there the game began to settle, with chances coming at both ends but Cats just about shading the play.

Will Weldon was able to net an equaliser for Phantoms but the visitors ensured they led at the end of the first period when Jan Kostal beat netminder Janis Auzins with a fine strike from distance.

Cats had a chance to extend their advantage less than two minutes after the restart when they were awarded a penalty shot but Aaron Nell was denied by Auzins.

That was as good as it got in the second period, although Phantoms thought they had levelled the scores as both Lyle and the net were sent backwards following a goalmouth scramble but the effort was ruled out for a player in the crease.

It was up to Phantoms to chase the game in the final period and they did just that and lay siege to the Cats goal. However, the visiting defence were up to the challenge and Lyle pulled off a number of fine stops whenever he was called upon.

Having soaked up the pressure, Cats hit their hosts on the counter and made the game safe when Kenton Smith got their fourth goal.

Phantoms were forced to pull netminder Auzins in the closing stages and that allowed Cats to pull further clear as Nell put the icing on the cake with a fifth goal at the death.