The Basingstoke Buffalo will look to clinch their place in their promotion play-offs, with victory at the Isle of Wight against the Wightlink Tigers on Sunday.
A depleted Buffalo suffered their first defeat in eight games, as they lost 8-3 at a strong Swindon Wildcats in the South West Two.
The home side raced to a 3-0 lead by the first break, as Benjamin Nethersell and a brace from Loris Taylor.
Buffalo man of the match Matt Lawday opened the visitors account assisted by Warren Jones and Dave Collins.
Swindon replied as they moved the score to 5-2 as Adam Finlinson who played the Wildcats against the Bison earlier in the season scored his first of a hat-trick and Daniel Williams also scored.
The sides then swapped goals before the second buzzer as Lawday scored from Neil Leary for the Buffalo and Finlinson netted for the Wildcats.
Lawday completed his hat-trick with the first goal of the final session, before the home side scored twice more from Mac Howlett and Finlinson.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here