THE Bespoke Guardians Swindon Wildcats ended the club’s regular-season campaign with a defeat and a win over the weekend.

Aaron Nell’s men lost a nip-and-tuck contest 4-3 at home to the Raiders on Saturday night before boosting confidence levels courtesy of a 7-5 success away to the Bees in Slough on Sunday.

Two more points from a possible four left the Wildcats in fifth on 68 points ahead of a double-header with Sheffield Steeldogs in the play-off quarter-finals this weekend.

At the Link Centre on Saturday, Aaron Connolly and Matthieu Gomercic established a quickfire two-goal advantage for the Raiders inside a minute of the second period following an empty first 20 minutes.

Swindon fought back, though, as Balint Pakozdi and Stevie Whitfield struck to make it 2-2 at the second hooter.

Chris Jones cancelled out Alex Roberts’ go-ahead goal midway through the final period, but Roberts struck again a minute later to wrap up the points for the Raiders.

The Wildcats recovered with aplomb on Sunday night and were a goal to the good within four minutes of face-off against the Bees thanks to Colby Tower.

Brendan Walkom and Ryan Webb turned the game on its head, but Swindon struck back via Sam Bullas at 11:57.

A goal-laden first 20 minutes continued as Josh Smith re-established the Bees’ advantage – a lead the hosts held onto until midway into the second period.

Reed Sayers and Pakozdi netted for Swindon to hand the visitors the initiative at the second horn.

Although Harvey Stead equalised at 45:11, the Wildcats put the hammer down thereafter to claim victory. Jones, Tower and Pakozdi all struck prior to Walkom’s effort with three second remaining.

Speaking to the Wildcats’ media team on Sunday, head coach Nell said: “I thought we played really well.

“It was a battle to get through the game like we did, and I’m happy we won.

“Dean Skinns [Wildcats' netminder] played really well in the second and third period, and I’m really happy with the team.”