THE Bespoke Guardians Swindon Wildcats came back from three goals down to beat Milton Keynes Lightning 7-4 at the Link Centre on Saturday.

After a nightmare first half an hour on the evening before Halloween, a hat-trick from captain Sam Bullas helped Swindon roar back and claim a rare home win from the club's one-game weekend.

The Wildcats went behind after three minutes and 13 seconds when Bobby Chamberlain, Sean Norris, and Sam Talbot combined for the latter to slot home for MK.

Swindon were presented with a chance to respond immediately when the Lightning lost Edgars Landsbergs for interference, but the hosts were unable to capitalise.

And it would be the Lightning who struck again when Chamberlain beat Renny Marr in the 16th minute.

When Chamberlain added his second, and his team's third, in the 25th minute, it appeared the Wildcats poor home record would continue.

However, three quick-fire goals - two of which came on the powerplay - from player coach Aaron Nell and Bullas squared the game up at three with 25 minutes remaining.

Bullas pushed his team ahead in the early moments of the third period, and Emil Svec added a fifth 90 seconds later.

MK's teenage talent Callum Field popped the bubble of elation for a brief period in the 49th minute before Swindon reasserted their dominance as time ticked down.

Nell bagged his second at 50 minutes and 33 seconds, while Balint Pakozdi finally got on the scoresheet at 57 minutes exactly.

Despite the Wildcats' victory, Swindon dropped to third place in the National Ice Hockey League due to Telford Tigers' four-point weekend. The Wildcats and Lightning have played the fewest games, however, with five.