JACK O'DONNELL struck a splendid hat-trick as Swindon Pumas' Under 14 side beat Milton Keynes Storm 4-2 in this crucial top of the table clash at the Link Centre.

The victory took Pumas seven points clear of both Romford and Milton Keynes at the top of the Under 14 South 1 League table and a big step closer to the league title and a place in the end of season play-offs for the English Under 14 crown.

Swindon are now unbeaten in 13 games this season and have only dropped one point. They have seven matches left and of the top teams chasing them only have to face Romford away (who have two games in hand) in mid-March.

Pumas had to work hard for the win over MK Storm and were twice pegged back level before two late strikes in the final five minutes from Floyd Taylor and Jack O'Donnell sealed victory.

The first 15-minute period was a tight affair with both sides going close. The deadlock was only broken when O'Donnell, pictured, latched onto a pass from Jordan Smith to score at 12.52.

Although Swindon outshot MK 10-3 in the second period it was the Storm who drew level at 1-1 at 20.42 as their leading scorer David Carson finally beat Rachel Pullen between the Pumas' pipes.

The visitors joy was short-lived as 71 seconds later the O'Donnell and Smith combination struck again with the former netting his second goal of the match at 21.53 to put Swindon ahead.

The final period was very even as Milton Keynes tried to get back on terms and Swindon clinch victory.

Storm's persistence finally paid-off as they came from behind once more to level at 38.45 through their second top scorer Tom Mboya, assisted by Carson.

The previous week Pumas had to dig deep to overcome Haringey and they had to do so again to see off the MK challenge.

A penalty on a Storm player saw Floyd Taylor capitalise netting an unassisted powerplay goal at 40.31 to put Swindon 3-2 ahead.

Then with just 27 seconds left on the clock O'Donnell struck the back of the net with the puck for the insurance goal to complete his hat-trick and seal another vital Pumas success.

Pumas scorers: O'Donnell 3+0; F Taylor 1+0; Smith 0+3.

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

Shots on goal: Pumas 29; Storm 17.

Penalty minutes: Pumas 2; Storm 4.