SWINDON Wildcats recorded their fifth English Premier League win in a row when they got the better of a topsy-turvy encounter against Peterborough Phantoms at the Link Centre.

The Cats built up an early 2-0 lead in the first period but were then hit by a Phantoms fightback and headed into the final 20 minutes 3-2 in arrears.

However, Aaron Nell’s side were not to be denied and produced a stunning turnaround in the third period to down the reigning EPL play-off champions.

The Cats could not have wished for a better start as they broke the deadlock with just 10 seconds on the clock. Coach Nell won possession back swiftly after the face-off and fed Tomasz Malasinski, who darted forward and slipped the puck to Jonas Hoog to crash past Phantoms stopper Adam Long.

Swindon were soon threatening a second and Long smothered a strike from Kyle Smith, Stevie Whitfield cracked over the top, while Nell also saw an effort ricochet off the Phantoms stopper’s helmet and wide.

The home side did get a second goal on the powerplay as Hoog darted forward before repaying the favour to Malasinski by drilling the puck across the ice where his team-mate was on hand to rifle home.

Swindon then had their backs to the wall for short period as Max Birbraer, Sam Bullas and Floyd Taylor were all sent to the sin-bin.

Phantoms’ Tom Norton was penalised too but it was still a case of five-on-three for the Phantoms and they made the numbers count as home keeper Stevie Lyle could not hold a stinging strike and Martins Susters pounced to tuck home and reduce the deficit.

Lyle redeemed himself soon after, though, pulling off a big save to prevent James Ferrara from levelling the scores and keep his side 2-1 to the good as the first buzzer sounded.

The home side were made to pay for further ill-discipline in the opening skirmishes of the second period as, with Neil Liddiard in the penalty box, Peterborough bagged another powerplay goal to level things up as Wehebe Darge finished off a flowing move.

Both sides threatened the next goal, with Malasinski shooting just wide for Swindon before Lyle pushed an effort from Darius Pliskauskas onto the post at the other end.

Cats coach Nell was next to go close as he nicked the puck from Tom Norton and bore down on Long but could not beat the Phantoms keeper.

However, it was the visitors who would head into the final period with their noses in front when former Wildcat Owen Griffiths pounced on a chaotic piece of play in front of the Cats’ goal to drive a loose puck past Lyle.

Swindon came out fired up for the final period and little over a minute had passed before they levelled the scores, with Hoog finding Nell for the Cats coach to smash home.

Nell went agonisingly close to an immediate second goal but was somehow kept at bay by Long but the hosts did not have to wait long to get back in front as Kostal was on hand to lash into the net after Nell dragged the puck back from behind the goal.

Swindon continued to lay siege to the Peterborough net and after a chaotic period of play, Sam Bullas kept his wits about him to pounce on a loose puck and beat Long at his near post to put the home side two goals to the good again, a lead that ultimately proved too big for the Phantoms to overcome.