SWINDON Wildcats' quest to land the NIHL South One title received a timely boost tonight after they defeated Basingstoke Bison 4-3 away from home.

Wildcats had won just two of their first eight fixtures in December, dropping them to third in the division despite a positive start to the season.

But Wildcats' poor run of form perhaps turned a corner this evening as Aaron Nell's men reversed a one-goal middle period deficit to record two valuable league points.

Wildcats made a near perfect start to tonight's game when Sam Bullas netted with just four minutes played following a pass from Nell.

There was little opportunity to enjoy the lead however as a hooking penalty on Max Birbraer resulted in Alex Sampford recording Bison's equaliser.

Loris Taylor lit the lamp to reestablish Cats' one-goal lead, but a pair of middle period goals for the hosts in the space of two minutes quickly reversed the score as Sampford netted his hat-trick.

Remarkably, Wildcats repeated Bison's heroics by striking twice in just 35 seconds, firstly through Sam Jones before Chris Jones netted with 14 minutes remaining.

Bison failed to find a way past Renny Marr afterwards, meaning Nell's troops enter tomorrow night's home tie against Peterborough with confidence behind them.