A BRACE from centre Matty Davies gave Swindon's play-off push a major boost this evening as Wildcats edged out rivals Romford Raiders 3-2 at the Link Centre.

Cats put some daylight between themselves in seventh and eighth-placed Romford with a late winner in a match that looked destined to go into overtime.

Both netminders deserve credit for a sterling display between the pipes, but it was Davies' attacking play that proved the difference in what captain Wayne Fiddes had described as a "must-win" match for both sides.

Cats made all the early running and it took a superb save from Romford netminder Mark Lee to deny Joel Petkoff at 7.28.

It was Davies, who celebrated his 18th birthday yesterday, who finally broke the deadlock on the powerplay at 8.38, his angled shot from the left proving too hot for Lee to handle.

Swindon netminder Nathan Craze was untested on a double Romford powerplay as Adam Brittle (hooking) and Robin Davison (roughing) were both forced to serve two minute penalties.

Cats survived the onslaught, but Craze was beaten at 14.11 with a shot that arched over his right shoulder from Andrej Sporina.

The hosts reasserted themselves, and Tomas Janak restored the lead at 15.07 with a power shot from the point that somehow squeezed through a packed Romford goalmouth.

The visitors spent much of the second period policing Petkoff, who had started the season at Romford, but it was former Swindon star Erik Bochna who wasted a glorious chance to bring the east London side level.

Bochna shot well over when clean through on goal in the 25th minute as Cats clung to their slender one-goal lead.

They couldn't hold out 10 minutes later however, as Romford took advantage of another powerplay to tie the game at 2-2. Veteran Norman Pinnington screened Craze, allowing Pavol Nalko to fire home from long range.

Romford were in the ascendancy now, and it took a superb intervention from Jan Vrtik on the goalline to see Swindon safely into the third period on level terms.

More penalty minutes followed in the final session, but Cats were unable to take advantage of a double powerplay as Lee continued to thwart the frustrated hosts.

When Davies fed Petkoff the Canadian looked certain to score, but somehow the inspired Lee saved with his outstretched pads.

Swindon left it late to seal the win, Petkoff battling for the puck on the boards before feeding Davies, who made no mistake this time with a clinical close-range finish.

Match stats: Swindon points scorers: Davies 2+1, Janak 1+0, Petkoff 0+2

Shots on goal: Swindon 37, Romford 32

Period scores: 2-1, 0-1, 1-0

Penalty minutes: Swindon 14, Romford 30

Cats travel to Bracknell Bees tomorrow (face-off 6pm). See Monday's Swindon Advertiser for full match reports and reaction from both weekend games.