SWINDON Wildcats’ impressive winning run came to an abrupt end as they suffered disappointing defeats to Manchester Phoenix and Peterborough Phantoms.

Cats went into the games on the back of a six-point weekend last time out, but a 5-4 home loss to the high-flying Phoenix on Saturday night was quickly followed by a 4-3 defeat away to the Phantoms, who are pushing for the last spot in the end-of-season play-offs.

Ryan Aldridge’s side slipped to a 3-0 deficit in Peterborough last night before goals from Jan Melichar, Nicky Watt and Sam Bullas pulled it back to 3-3, but the home side quickly went down the other end to snatch a powerplay goal to seal victory.

“We were flat all weekend really and that is a real shame after how well we played last week,” Aldridge said.

“But saying that I think if you are going to have a flat weekend this is a good time to have it, because we have time to get back on form before the play-offs.

“To lose our winning run at home was disappointing because we were proud of how we have played, but we need to start a new run now.”

Wildcats had won their last six home games before taking on the Phoenix, and it looked as if it was going to be another successful night at the Link Centre as Aaron Nell finished off a neat breakaway to give them the lead.

But the lead was snatched away almost instantly as Tom Duggan swiped the puck home from close range.

Both Luke Boothroyd and James Archer then struck to stretch the Phoenix lead as they beat screened netminder Thomas Murdy with well placed efforts.

But when the puck was dropped back into play Wildcats responded quickly and Jonas Hoog lined up a slapshot from the blue line, and caught Stephen Fone unaware to grab a superb goal.

The home side would have to wait until an intense final period to find the net again, but Nell soon grabbed his second goal of the night as Cats levelled things up.

Boothroyd struck again as the visitors claimed a fifth after the puck remarkably made its way past netminder Murdy, for a goal which would ultimately prove enough to secure the victory.

Despite dropping to a two-goal deficit Wildcats continued to pressurise the away net and were soon rewarded.

Hoog found the net again with a rapid wrist shot, but they could not find a vital equaliser.