SWINDON COUGARS had to come from behind to complete the double over Milton Keynes Storm with a narrow 3-2 home win on Saturday.

A week earlier Cougars had edged the honours 4-3 in the reverse Southern Under 19 League away fixture.

A very sluggish start from Cougars saw Storm apply much of the early pressure and Thomas Hurley net the opener with a shot from the point at 18.44.

Then with only 15 seconds of the second period gone Hurley found Matt Halford with a long pass and he broke away to beat Ashley Whitcher to give visitor's MK a 2-0 lead.

After looking out of sorts Cougars pulled a goal back at 27.26. Storm netminder Andy Moore failed to hold a shot and Steven Osman scrambled the puck into the net.

And on 32.14 Moore again looked to have saved a further Robin Littlewood shot but Shannon Taylor fired the puck in from a narrow angle which seemed to just hit the roof of the net before bouncing out.

Milton Keynes' defence pleaded that the puck had not crossed the line, but referee Dean Smith awarded the goal.

In the last period Swindon played with more spirit and took the lead at 51.15.

A move involving David Lovejoy and Michael Bluff saw Moore only parry a shot from the latter. Ciaran Long following up fired the puck into the net.

Despite being under intense pressure in the final few minutes and being shorthanded Cougars held on for the victory.

"We didn't seem to have any spark at the start and were soon 2-0 down," said coach Dave Littlewood.

"However, we fought back well and it was great to come back to win. Once again netminder Ashley Whitcher came up big and deservedly won the man of the match award.

Cougars scorers: S Taylor 1+1; Osman and C Long 1+0; Michael Bluff, David Lovejoy and Robin Littlewood all 0+1.

Period scores: 0-1; 2-1; 1-0.

Shots on goal: Cougars 39; MK Storm 42.

Penalty mins: Cougars 14; MK Storm 20.