LONDON outfit Raiders must be treated with caution if Swindon Wildcats are to extend their unbeaten run into its fourth weekend, according to player-coach Aaron Nell.

The Wildcats trounced Milton Keynes Lightning 7-0 at home last Saturday – their biggest win of the season – before becoming the only team to defeat Basingstoke Bison away from home in regulation time this season a day later.

Those results are the fifth and sixth instalments of Swindon’s latest unbeaten run, which stretches back four weeks – Hull Pirates, Bracknell Bees, Sheffield Steeldogs and Britain’s newest team, Leeds Chiefs, have also been defeated.

Boasting a National League record of nine wins and three defeats – only one of those occurring in regulation time – the Cats sit pretty at the top of the country’s second-tier table.

But Raiders are the only team to have beaten Nell’s side over 60 minutes this season.

Netminder Michael Gray restricted the Wildcats to only four goals in the capital a month ago as the hosts bagged a 5-4 win.

And with Slovakian forward Erik Piatak now in Raiders’ ranks, Swindon’s 30-year-old coach expects the capital’s top team to maintain their dark horse status when visiting Wiltshire on Saturday.

Nell said: “Raiders have been one of the better teams we have played, to be honest.

“The league constantly delivers tough games, and you have got to be at the top of your game.

“If you are on top, you win. And vice-versa.

“We’ve played every team now, and Raiders are certainly in the top three of the toughest teams we’ve played, so it will be a difficult one.

“November is traditionally a tough month for us, but we feel we are in a good spot.

“Especially after last season, we identified that November can be a tricky month. We need to make sure the players keep working as hard as they have been and play at the same intensity.”

Following Raiders’ visit, Swindon make the short trip to tackle Milton Keynes on Sunday.

Injury woes have hurt Lightning – previously of the Elite League – this term. That’s proven no more so than by their current league position.

Only five points have been registered from the club’s opening 11 games, and they hold the division’s worst goal difference.

But now the Buckinghamshire outfit has a greater understanding of the Wildcats’ key threats, Nell has refused to approach the tie as a gimme.

Nell said: “Every game is a game to be cautious of, and I expect Milton Keynes to be better than they were last Saturday at the Link.

“I certainly don’t think the score will be the same as what we witnessed last weekend.

“I have no idea what Milton Keynes do behind the scenes, but I’m sure they will play better.”