SWINDON ENL Wildcats conceded twice late on as they were defeated 4-3 by Invicta Mustangs.

Wildcats started well and created a chance in the opening minute, as Daniel Smith’s shot was saved by Steven Grout.

But Invicta rallied and put intense pressure on netminder Jamie Thompson, who faced 20 shots in as many minutes, as opposed to Grout, who faced only seven.

With the Mustangs out-shooting the Wildcats three to one, it seemed inevitable that the opening goal would not be far off, and it came after 10 minutes through Peter Carey.

It didn’t take the away side long to double their lead, as Daniel Fudger fired past Thompson just three minutes later.

Despite the Mustangs’ superiority, Swindon still had opportunities, with James Burnett firing wide the best of them with the goal at his mercy.

Wildcats were a different team in the second period and scored their first goal three minutes in.

Following some hard fore-checking by Swindon, the puck fell to Sam Feeney and his cross-goal pass fell to Smith, who buried the puck past Grout on the backhand.

Swindon then upped the tempo throughout the remainder of the period and tightened up defensively, as Thompson faced just six shots.

The equalising goal came at 34.22 on the powerplay, with Stephen Whitfield and Burnett providing the assists for Jamie Newton to score.

Wildcats took the lead for the first time at 35.52, when Joe Oliver broke down the left wing and his pass hit a defender’s skate and was directed into the back of the net.

The final period saw both sides evenly matched on shots, with Grout facing 15 and Thompson 17.

Mustangs levelled the score at 52.26 as Daniel Fudger beat Thompson on the breakaway, and they then took the lead through Laurence Billing at 54.02.

Despite Swindon pressurising the Invicta net in the remaining six minutes, they were unable to find another way past Grout.

The man of the match for Wildcats was Tom Asprey.