Telford Tigers surrender three-goal lead against Swindon Wildcats

His side had led 3-0 until the Wildcats produced a remarkable comeback victory to win 4-3 making it a third successive defeat for Watkins' men - they had been comfortably beaten 5-1 by Leeds Knights just 24 hours previously.

The Tigers find themselves in ninth place in the National Ice Hockey League after 25 games - with the Bristol Pitbulls and the Berkshire Bees the only sides below them in the table.

And Watkins spoke about his team's defeat after the match.

“For two periods. I thought we played very smart, very organised and managed the details well," Watkins said. "It was important we started well for our belief and got ourselves into a strong position after the second period but in the third period, we struggled. 

"We weren’t able to play as direct or as physical as the previous two periods and ended up defending very deep instead of up the ice. 

"The puck was able to get to the front of our net too easily, and to give up three goals in the third period on the doorstep was frustrating. 

"Three tap-ins where we don’t control bodies or sticks. We know how to defend those situations, all moments we focus on in video sessions and on the ice at practice.”

The Tigers had a bright start to the game and were ahead in the fifth minute with a power play goal. 

Rhodes Mitchell-King's shot from the blue line beat Swindon netminder Renny Marr to put Telford in front.

Early in the second period, Telford doubled the lead. Mitchell-King sent a shot in on goal, and although Marr saved the initial effort, the rebound was turned in by Harry Ferguson.

The lead was then extended further. James Smith led a two-on-one breakaway and made a perfect pass across the ice to Tom Byrne, who cooly shot over Marr’s glove, to give the home side a three-goal lead.

Swindon struck back with a power play goal, Scott McKenzie was penalised in the penalty box for slashing, and Swindon’s Aaron Nell scored.

Early in the third period, a further Swindon power play resulted in another goal. Glen Billing turned the puck home from close range.

A few minutes later, the game was tied as Swindon scored again from close range with Edgars Bebris getting the final touch.

With the game finely poised, Swindon turned up the pressure on the Tigers' goal and eventually, it paid off. With just thirty seconds left on the clock, Nell scored to win the game and seal another disappointing defeat for the Tigers.

Telford are back in action next Saturday as they make the trip to Peterborough to play the Phantoms before they are back on home ice the following day as they welcome the Hull Seahawks.