SWINDON Wildcats were forced to work hard for a 3-2 win over a physical London Raiders side.

The hosts made a flying start to the game and took the lead within the first minute at the Link Centre through Phil Hill.

The former Telford made the most of Matthew Turner’s two-minute penalty for hooking, by notching a power-play goal in the 52nd second.

However, Swindon survived the five minutes with four skaters and looked good to hold their lead into the second period, before Turner hit back for the away side with 50 seconds remaining.

The second instalment was combative if nothing else, both teams traded power-plays but neither sides were able to make it count.

Skipper Jan Kostal came close with an effort which skipped off the pipes, in what was a forgettable 20 minutes at the Link Centre.

The home crowd were audibly frustrated with Nell and his troops as they went back into the locker room at 1-1.

The third period picked up from where the second had left off as both teams struggled to get any control on the game.

Thankfully, Sam Bullas was on hand to get the Cats back in front as he pounced on a loose puck before poking it home, timed at 46:18.

Two minutes later it was level again, as Deakan Fielder offered up the puck far to easily to Jake Slyvester, who had no issues applying the finish.

Hill was on hand to bail out the youngster when he notched his second of the game in the 51st minute to clinch the win.