SWINDON Wildcats player/coach Aaron Nell said he was fortunate to be able to turn to Tomasz Malasinski to secure a win against bottom-of-the-league Hull Pirates.

The Pole, who missed last weekend’s loss to Milton Keynes Lightning, was a doubt for the game having been in hospital just the day before but, after coming through Friday night’s practice and the pre-game warm-up, he declared himself fit.

Nell was relieved that he had the 29-year-old available as his two goals helped Swindon secure a 6-4 win over Hull.

"I thought that we were a very lucky team that Tomasz Malasinski played tonight," he said.

"We didn't think he was going to play but he did and he kind of pulled us through.

"We're very lucky he is here and he likes playing for us.

“It was very touch and go (whether he was going to play). We were going to try it and then in warm up he said he felt good, then we went 2-0 down and I had to play him more.

“Tomasz is a great player and people like him Jan (Kostal) and Lids (Neil Liddiard), with their experience, we’re very lucky to have them and they are going to carry our team forward.”

Swindon were left shell-shocked after a slow start gifted the hosts a two goal lead courtesy of strikes from James Hutchinson and Cameron Brownley.

However, after a timeout Nell took it on himself to haul the hosts back level with a brace before Carlo Finucci, Malasinki and Corey McEwen gave the hosts a buffer.

The visitors weren’t finished though as Brownley and Tommi Laine struck either side of the second break, but Malasinski secured the two points with seven minutes left on the clock.

“Maybe, myself included thought we were just going to win tonight and that can’t happen,” added Nell, who knows his side must be better against Manchester Phoenix tomorrow night.

“It’s tough when you’re playing and they had nothing to lose tonight and could just chance it but if we work hard for the first 10 minutes and get two up then the game is over.

"I thought we went down to their level and we were doing things that we know we are not good at.

"We're a team that to be good we all need to be good.

“For the team they have, they were well organised and that is not normal for a lower placed team.

“At the end of the day we did just get through it.

"That is how we are going to be successful. We won and that is the most important thing. It doesn't matter if it is 10-0 or 6-4 like it was.”