NATIONAL League points were dropped by Swindon Wildcats on Sunday night against old rivals Bracknell Bees, who grabbed a 3-2 win.

Aidan Doughty netted for the Bees with 10 minutes remaining in the third period to cancel out Tom Rutkis’ quickfire middle period brace.

Rutkis struck two goals in exactly 100 seconds to level Wildcats’ latest second tier tie after they trailed the Berkshire club at the end of the first period courtesy of goals from Josh Ealey-Newman and another for Doughty.

Defeat has dented Swindon’s hopes of lifting the National League title at the end of the season, though more than a dozen games remain.

Wildcats player-coach Aaron Nell said: “It’s very frustrating, we had a lot of chances against Bracknell whose netminder was very good.

“We need to put the chances we get away in situations we faced at Bracknell. Bracknell played hard, it was a good game.

“All we can do is keep on going and understand there is still a long way to go. We have a plan in place for the rest of the year and losing to Bracknell makes it difficult but we still need to look after ourselves and be ready for next weekend, our biggest of the season.

“There is still a long way to go, but Basingstoke will be raring to go next weekend.”

Nell admitted Wildcats were far from their best in Bracknell on Sunday.

A strong netminding performance by Bees’ ‘keeper did little to help the Link Centre club’s cause either.

Nell added: “It’s about how we turn up on the night, we weren’t at our best against Bracknell but still had chances to win the game.

“Their netminder made a lot of good games. As frustrating as it is, we are still in the title fight.”