SWINDON Wildcats fell three goals short of causing one of the biggest NIHL upsets in history after defeating Peterborough Phantoms 4-6 at Planet Ice.

Jan Kostal’s men trailed 7-0 on aggregate with 39 minutes of the two-legged contest remaining.

But a quickfire hat-trick for star forward Aaron Nell following Sam Bullas’ brace and an earlier marker from Chris Jones brought the score to 8-3 as only Nathan Salem could strike for the hosts following their initial two goals.

Despite a series of desperate efforts in the concluding 10 minutes, Phantoms wrapped up the aggregate win when Nathan Salem scored an empty net effort with seconds left on the clock.

Prior to face-off, Wildcats were left frustrated as Saturday’s 4-2 win against the Phantoms was reversed to a 5-0 loss.

The loss was implemented by the NIHL after Swindon registered Joshua Francis Kelly as a player for the first leg.

Kelly, who had only iced two league games during the season, was an ineligible player having not skated in at least 25 per cent of Cats’ league games this season.

It meant Cats faced a five-goal uphill battle before a puck had been dropped.

Luc Johnson was first to test the home side as his effort from inside the blue line flashed wide of Ewan King’s left post.

Phantoms responded on five minutes when Padelek’s wraparound effort was saved by Marr.

The home side did take the lead a shift later though when Padelek dragged Renny Marr out of net before laying the puck to Will Weldon, who scored from a tight angle. Phantoms held onto their one-goal lead until the end of the period.

The home side quickly doubled their lead at the start of the second period when Weldon struck once more, finding a way past Renny Marr’s right shoulder.

But Cats showed great determination to reverse their one-goal deficit, scoring three goals in 10 minutes.

Chris Jones’ one-timer registered Cats’ first goal before Sam Bullas scored from close range three minutes later.

Bullas added another in bizarre fashion towards the end of the period.

The forward’s shot smashed off the plexi-glass before rebounding off King’s back and crossing the goal line as he fell into the net.

Cats’ period of hope quickly crashed back to reality when Phantoms levelled the game – re-establishing their five-goal aggregate lead – through Nathan Salem.

But Aaron Nell’s three goals meant Cats moved within two goals of forcing the game to overtime.

Despite continued efforts in the closing minutes, Phantoms scored a late empty netter to knock Cats out of the playoffs.