SWINDON Wildcats player-coach Aaron Nell was left ruing a missed opportunity as his side failed to close the gap on the teams above them in the English Premier League on Sunday night.

The Cats travelled to Guildford Flames knowing a win would put them within a point of their hosts in the league standings.

However, that gap between sixth and seventh was widened to five points as Ben Campbell netted a brace to add to Tom Duggan’s opener to inflict a 3-1 defeat on Swindon, with Jonas Höög’s strike proving to be nothing more than a consolation goal.

“I thought we played ok and I think they were there for the taking,” said a frustrated Nell.

“At key times, they were the better team and we weren’t.

“They took their chances. It was quite an even game and not the best game of hockey you will ever see but, at times, we could have been a little bit better and at the key times, they were the better team and that’s why they won.

“We had good spells where we had some, not great chances but good chances and I don’t think we tested their goalie enough.

“At times, we have got to be better in front of the net and that is part of the game.

“When we get our chances, with the possession we had tonight – we had a lot of possession in their end which we don’t normally get in Guildford – we’ve got to take our chances.

“They are an experienced team and when they get their chances, they are pretty good in front of the net.

“I don’t think we played awful tonight but I don’t think we played great and it was definitely one that got away.”

After a goalless first period, Swindon had 47 seconds in the second where they had a two man advantage on the ice.

However, they were unable to capitalise and minutes later, Duggan and Campbell struck within 21 seconds of each other to put a stranglehold on the game and Nell knows his side must improve on power plays going forward.

“For the first thirty minutes, we were very good,” he added.

“We had a couple of power play opportunities and we were really poor.

“The power plays are very frustrating right now and our top players have to do better on the power play.

“We are really good in practice and then we come to the game and we completely change and there is something where our top players have got to be accountable.

“We’ve got to work hard this week in training now and get back to it.”