THE Bespoke Guardians Swindon Wildcats recorded a four-point weekend against title rivals Sheffield Steeldogs.

Aaron Nell's men snatched an overtime victory away on Sunday night - 24 hours after they had defeated the Yorkshire side 4-3 in 60 minutes at the Link Centre.

Though they have played at least one game more than Telford Tigers and Milton Keynes Lightning, Swindon took advantage of shock double defeats by both to move back to the top of the National Ice Hockey League table.

Saturday's action began with Sheffield taking advantage of the second powerplay of the first period. Tim Smith fired home to give the visitors the lead in the 14th minute.

Tomasz Malasinski repaid the favour 18 seconds into the second period when punishing Sheffield for too many men on the ice.

Emil Svec nudged the Cats ahead shortly after, and then with just four outfield skaters Nell struck a shorthanded goal for the hosts to put them 3-1 ahead.

A penalty-heavy game saw a brief spell of four-on-four which Sheffield then reduced the deficit in through Lee Haywood.

Nell scored his second of the night shortly before the second break - once again on a shorthanded shift - to make it 4-2.

But 11 seconds before the end of period two, Jack Brammer scored from Smith to set up a nervy final 20 minutes. Swindon survived a goalless last period to escape with two more points.

On Sunday, Nell and Malasinski opened up a two-goal lead for the Wildcats in Sheffield before the hosts registered in the 15th minute through Jason Hewitt.

Nell bagged his second a minute later, however, to restore the two-goal advantage at the end of the first period.

The Steeldogs' Alex Graham struck on the powerplay to net the only goal of the middle period.

After Lee Bonner had tied the game up on the powerplay, a tense final period made way for overtime - in which Malasinski struck the decisive blow to hand the Cats both points.