DESPITE recording their first loss of the season, the Swindon Wildcats maintained their strong start by picking up another two points at the weekend.

The Guildford Flames travelled to the Swindon Ice Arena on Saturday for a highly anticipated league/cup encounter.

After a frantic first period which somehow ended goalless, the Flames got on the scoreboard early in the second stanza as Swedish forward Marcus Kristoffersen was given an easy finish in front of goal.

Matt Towe soon doubled his side's lead with a shot that Cats goalie Stevie Lyle should definitely have handled better.

The next goal was crucial and Swindon managed to get it through the reliable Aaron Nell who scored from a tight angle. But Guildford ensured they took a 3-1 lead into the final frame as Tom Duggan skilfully put the puck past Lyle.

Swindon were definitely the better side throughout and the shot count proved it, but Greg Rockman stood strong for the Flames. Cats captain Jan Kostal managed to find a way past Rockman and notched a goal in emphatic fashion on the powerplay.

The Link Centre crowd were in full voice for the first time in the game and it nearly led to the Cats grabbing an equaliser as Tomasz Malisinski came agonisingly close.

Guildford ensured they took the two points back down the M4, however, when Ben Campbell scored late on to give them a 4-2 victory.

It was the return leg at the Spectrum in Guildford on Sunday and the Cats found themselves 2-0 down midway through the game in a tough atmosphere.

They showed a lot of character and determination and started their comeback with a goal from hard-working Finn Henri Sandvik. The Cats rallied with further goals from Malisinski and Lee Richardson to give them a 3-2 lead heading into the final 20 minutes of action.

Nell's lone goal in the third period and some great saves from Lyle gave the Cats a massive two points.

Swindon are back at it on Sunday when they travel north to face the Sheffield Steeldogs in what will undoubtedly be a physical contest.