SWINDON Wildcats’ 2016-17 English Premier League season ended in defeat this evening as they were outmuscled by a physical Basingstoke Bison side at the Link Centre.

Aaron Nell’s side headed into the contest with only pride to play for after their hopes of play-off glory were dashed with a game to spare following Saturday night’s results but they were unable to give their home fans one final cheer for the campaign.

Basingstoke started the brighter and Matt Towalski tested Swindon keeper Stevie Lyle in the opening minute but he was able to bat the effort away.

Captain Jan Kostal had the Cats’ first sight of goal but he saw a long-range strike deflected wide by visiting netminder Tomas Hiadlovsky, while at the other end, Lyle stayed big to keep Joe Miller's strike at bay.

Lyle then smothered a shot on the angle from Tomas Karpov but could do nothing to thwart Basingstoke’s next attack just seconds later as the same Bison player beat him from close range.

Max Birbraer then shot wide on the angle for Swindon but their challenge got a lot tougher when they were forced to play with three men for two minutes. With Stevie Whitfield already in the sin-bin, he was joined by Tomasz Malasinski and Adam Finlinson, the latter serving a penalty due to bench abuse of an official.

The hosts were able to survive that tricky spell unscathed as Lyle made a smart double save from Ciaran Long and then Karpov before Miller shot over the top, but that good work was undone a matter of seconds after they returned to full strength as Aaron Connolly got Basingstoke’s second goal.

Swindon fought back bravely, though, and Birbraer gave them a lifeline in the final minute of the first period, darting forward before beating Hiadlovsky all ends up to reduce the arrears.

The Cats looked to get off to a flyer in the second period and Toms Rutkis was thwarted by Hiadlovsky. Lyle then denied Joe Baird from distance before Daniel Lackley blazed wide for Bison.

Swindon continued to ramp up the pressure and Malasinski forced a smart stop from Hiadlovsky, who then pulled off another fine stop as Lee Richardson was the next home player to go close.

However, the Cats were then hit by a sucker-punch just after the half-hour mark as the visitors restored their two-goal cushion when Miller drove the puck across goal and Ivan Antonov was on hand to sweep it over the line.

And things went from bad to worse for Swindon as Bison began to turn the screw with a second goal in the space of three minutes, with Lyle unable to react to a blistering strike from Derek Roehl from way out as Basingstoke led 4-1 at the second interval.

Lyle had to keep his wits about him to prevent Swindon from falling further behind in the opening skirmishes of the final period, pulling off an excellent double save from Karpov and then Rand.

Even attacking proved costly for Swindon as immediately after a powerful Jonas Hoog effort was kept out by Hiadlovsky, Basingstoke skated straight up the other end and Lyle had no chance up against Ciaran Long as he got the visitors’ fifth.

Swindon’s night was summed up as Basingstoke got their sixth goal with six minutes to go. Lyle made a fine initial save from Miller but the puck rolled back perfectly to him to finish the job.

Malasinski was able to reduce the deficit shortly afterwards with an effort that initially cracked against the post, although the goal was only allowed to stand after a lengthy conference between the officials.

However, there was still time for Basingstoke to get another goal as Karpov darted up the left and beat Michael Crisp – who had replaced Lyle for the final few minutes – at his near post.

In the end, it was Swindon who did have the final word as Adam Finlison netted another consolation goal with just four seconds to go.