THE Basingstoke Bison failed to return to the top of the English Premier League after they suffered a 5-3 defeat at the Swindon Wlidcats on Wednesday night.

It started so well for the visitors as Joe Rand and then Bison man-of-the-match Jaroslav Cesky made it 2-0 by the seventh minute.

Swindon's Jonas Hoog hauled the Wildcats back into the contest, but by the buzzer Bison boss Doug Sheppard had made it 3-1 and everything looked to be going to plan.

The second session saw just one goal from the home side's Matias Perkkio.

The writing was on the wall and the final period belonged to the Wildcats as the Bison managed just five shots on Dean Skinns. 

Swindon's top British forward Aaron Nell tied the game just 33 seconds after the re-start and then netted again five minutes later.

Then only some excellent saves from Stevie Lyle denied Nell his hat-trick, before Sam Bullas added Swindon's fifth.

See Monday's Gazette for a full report and reaction.