SWINDON Wildcats were beaten for the first time in the NIHL Cup this season tonight as they were swept aside by a late Telford Tigers surge in a 4-1 defeat on the road.

Aaron Nell’s side boasted a dominant record against the Tigers ahead of the trip to Shropshire, with the Link Centre side having claimed five wins from the five matches between the two teams this term.

However, the Cats were unable to extend that winning sequence despite taking an early lead in the contest, although they do have the consolation of retaining top spot in the Group D table having won seven of their eight matches overall.

Chris Jones gave Swindon the lead with five minutes to go in the first period and there was then no addition to the scoreboard over the second stanza.

The hosts raised their game in the final period, though, and Scott McKenzie swiftly hauled them level.

That gave Telford the impetus and they took the lead when Joe Miller hit the back of the net before goals from McKenzie and Jason Silverthorn killed off the Cats.