WILDCATS moved a step close to securing a top-eight finish and a place in the play-offs with a vital 4-3 win over Chelmsford tonight.

In a fairly dour game, the first shot of note came at 1.20 when Lee Richardson's effort was saved, and the same player failed to connect on an excellent centering pass at 7.01.

Cats finally broke the deadlock at 10.58, Matty Davies receiving the puck from Richardson and Joel Petkoff and showing dazzling close control before scoring with a neat backhand shot.

Chelmsford were level less than a minute later at 11.40 when Scott McKenzie scored at close range and the visitors might have gone ahead when veteran Andy Hannah was sent clear, but lacked the speed to get his shot away.

Swindon regained the lead at 14.51, Richardson scoring with a well-placed rising shot above netminder Andy Moffit, after being well fed by good work from Davies and Lee Brathwaite.

Chelmsford came out all guns blazing at the start of the second and outshot the Cats 13-5. Rastislav Palov hit the post with a beautiful shot on the 21-minute mark and a minute later at the other end an excellent Davies/Riochardson/Petkoff move produced a brilliant save from Moffit.

The game was levelled once more at 23.25 when Palov was sent clear on the powerplay and he hit a crisp precise shot past Nathan Craze to make it 2-2.

Despite being outshot, the Cats still ended the second period on top, with Davies completing his brace with an excellent shot after receiving passes from Michael Farn and Richardson.

Wildcats struck in the opening minute of the final period as their two Solvakian players combined well - Jan Vrtik feeding the puck from behind the net for Tomas Janak to score with a precise reversed-angled shot into the far corner.

Cats had two great chances to put the game beyond reach. First, Petkoff was sent clear at 44.41 but Moffit produced another fine save.

And at 52.05 a powerful shot from Robin Davison squeezed past Moffit but he recovered just in time to cover the puck up on the line.

Chelmsford made a tight finish of it, scoring their third at 56.15 through Tom Long, and pulled their net-minder in favour of an extra attacker in the final minute.

But Swindon's one chance to add to their score was wasted when John Wheaton attempted an unnecessary pass when a direct shot was called for.