SWINDON Wildcats player-coach Aaron Nell saluted his young guns after his side claimed a 2-1 win over MK Lightning at the Link Centre.

Teenagers Ben Nethersell and Toms Rutkis got the goals for the hosts, with Rutkis claiming the winner in overtime.

The game also signalled a return for Ollie Stone who has been out of the side for six weeks after picking up a head injury against Hull Pirates in December.

The first period was an eventful start to the fixture, but neither side were able to make the breakthrough.

Nethersell landed the first blow for the Wildcats in the 28th when he made the most of a Swindon power play.

The Wildcats were then pegged back in the 53rd minute, before Rutkis lashed home the winner in the 61st minute of the game.

With both goals coming from teenagers, Nell admits he was impressed with the performances from his younger troops.

“We were excellent tonight, every player came to play and they wanted it tonight, you could see from the first shift,” said Nell.

“I’m very proud of my team, credit to my players for working that hard. It was important to get a win against a very good team in front of our own fans.

“Two 19-year-olds scored the goals tonight and fair play to them they are very good young players, it’s a credit to them to see them do so well.

“Ollie (Stone) played really well today in his first game back, he’s been out for six weeks and he’s been good.

“Toms brings a lot of energy, he wants the puck and he goes to dirty areas and he skates well, we have missed him and it was great to see him score that goal.

“We had Jordan (Kelsall) out there too who is 17-years-old, young players have to work hard and have the right attitude.

“If they do that then they will have chances, they’ll make mistakes, everyone makes mistakes but all the young boys worked extremely hard.”

This weekend’s home fixture is the only game for the Swindon Wildcats after their game with Manchester Phoenix was cancelled after they withdrew from the league.