AARON Nell was left to rue too many errors as Swindon Wildcats suffered their first home defeat of the season.

Having lost their last two match in NIHL South One, Cats were unable to buck their losing trend in the league as leaders Peterborough Phantoms claimed a 5-4 success.

“It was a tough one, there were two good teams there, but hockey is about mistakes and they don’t make the mistakes that we make,” Nell said.

“We gave them two breakaways (goals), I don’t get a puck in for their fourth goal.

“We lost it in the middle of the third period, they scored two goals in quick succession, it was just silly mistakes.

“We are more experienced than that, we have to learn from that.

We have put ourselves in a tough old spot now, but there is still a long way to go.”

Cats came flying out of the blocks against Peterborough as fine work from Max Birbraer saw the import pick out Sam Zajac to drill the puck home with 61 seconds on the clock.

However, the Phantoms drew level in the fifth minute when a mistake from Stevie Whitfield allowed Nathan Salem in to equalise.

Cats restored their lead in the 30th minute when some good work from Zajac played in Chris Jones to find the target.

However, the hosts found themselves in penalty trouble when they had Joe Hazeldine and then Neil Liddiard sent to the box within nine seconds of each other as Cats were left with just three outfield players on the ice.

Peterborough quickly drew level through Owen Griffiths before Ales Padelek fired the visitors into the lead in the 36th minute.

In the final period, Neil Liddiard drew Cats level with a silky run into the Phantoms half before unleashing the puck beyond Adam Long in the 43rd minute.

But Peterborough struck twice in quick succession through Will Weldon and then Darius Pliskauskas to give them a 5-3 lead going into the final 10 minutes of the match.

Sam Bullas set up a tense final 30 seconds of the game as he made it 5-4, however, the visitors held out for the win.

On Saturday night, Cats ensured that they finished top of their pool in the Autumn Cup with a 6-3 win at Hull Pirates.

Aaron Nell, Jordan Kelsall, Luc Johnson, Floyd Taylor, Max Birbraer and Chris Jones struck for the Link Centre side, while Matt Smital put in a man of the match performance.