With ninth-placed Phantoms losing to MK Lightning home and away, Bees had a chance to open up a four-point cushion in the race for the final play-off position.

But they put in a below-par performance against Swindon to remain two points ahead of Phantoms with two games remaining in the English Premier Ice Hockey League regular season.

Bees go to MK on Saturday after Phantoms host champions Manchester Phoenix on Thursday, before the two play-off rivals meet at The Hive on Sunday in a potential winner-takes-all clash.

Bees struggled to get going against Swindon on Sunday evening and conceded the only goal of the game late in the second period to Lee Richardson.

Netminder Alex Mettam put in another excellent display to restrict Wildcats to just the single goal but Bees could not beat Stevie Lyle at the other end.

The closest they came was when Matt Foord struck the frame of the goal.

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