THE Basingstoke Bison beat title rivals the Swindon Wildcats in a thrilling 2-1 penalty shoot-out victory.

A bumper crowd packed into the Basingstoke Arena, for this much anticipated first league clash.

With Swindon having won all four National Cup encounters this season, it was time for some Herd revenge.

In a close contest from start to finish, the visitors edged the first session thanks to a powerplay strike.

This came from their man of the match Edgars Bebris, his shot from the right wing flew into the roof of the net at 14:32.

The second session saw the Bison level things, thanks to a superb strike from their man of the match Ryan Sutton.

This was also on the powerplay, as Sutton side stepped the last defender, before finishing with a great wrist shot at 30:35.

With scores still level in the final period, both sides went searching for the winner with the Bison having the clearer chances.

The best being in the final five minutes of the game, when Ivan Antonov broke away and Max Birbraer fell over in front of him. Antonov was able to skate in on goal, but Renny Marr saved his shot.

Marr was then called upon to make one last save in the final minute from Antonov, which sent the game it into overtime.

Swindon had the first two chances in the extra session, with Dean Skinns equal to both shots from Bebris.

The home side hit back with Dan Scott denied twice.

Swindon replied and this time Floyd Taylor and Steve Whitfield forced saves, before Sutton and Antonov tested Marr.

In the final seconds of overtime, Birbraer broke away, but the buzzer sounded, before he was able to get his shot away.

This meant the game was decided by a penalty shoot-out, with Swindon the favourites having won one on their last visit to Basingstoke.

The home side were the first to shoot, with Roman Malinik denied and then Swindon’s Chris Jones’ effort was saved.

The Herd’s Dan Davies then received the biggest cheer of the night, as he slotted home after some excellent stick work.

Next up, the Wildcats’ Bebris blazed his shot over the bar, which meant if the Bison’s next shooter scored they had won.

Unfortunately, Josh Smith failed to beat Marr, so as the tension grew, it was left to Aaron Nell to keep the shoot-out alive.

He skated in on Skinns in the Herd net, but his shot was safely gobbled up in the glove of the netminder - to secure the victory.

Tonight, these two sides meet once again, but this time it is at the Link Centre in Swindon.