SHEFFIELD STEELDOGS missed out on an opportunity to close the gap on NIHL National title favourites Swindon Wildcats when they suffered a third loss of the season to the leaders.

After falling behind twice at the Link Centre, the Steeldogs hit back to take a second period lead, only to see momentum swing back in favour of the Wildcats, who ran out 6-3 winners.

Ahead of Sunday night’s schedule – the Steeldogs are not in action – it left the Wildcats five points clear of Sheffield, with three games in hand.

Josh Shaw’s sixth-minute opener for Swindon was cancelled out by Bailey Yates’ strike at 12.02 before Aaron Nell and Cole Shudra traded second period goals around the halfway mark ahead of Liam Steele putting the Steeldogs ahead at 33.55.

HAT-TRICK HERO: Emil Svec smashed in a hat-trick for Hull Seahawks in the 5-1 win at Basingstoke Bison. Picture: Vince Cowell/Seahawks Media.

placeholder image — HAT-TRICK HERO: Emil Svec smashed in a hat-trick for Hull Seahawks in the 5-1 win at Basingstoke Bison. Picture: Vince Cowell/Seahawks Media.

But Ryan Wells’ equaliser at 37.52 was followed by a strike from Reed Sayers just over two minutes into the third period, giving Swindon an initiative they didn’t give up again, with making the points safe with two empty net goals in the final three minutes from Sam Godfrey and Tyler Watkins.

Leeds Knights also lost ground on Swindon when Bristol Pitbulls edged them out 6-5 in overtime - recording their first-ever win over the three-time champions at the 19th attempt.

Ahead of Sunday’s games – when Leeds host Bristol at Elland Road (4.15pm) – the result leaves Ryan Aldridge’s team 13 points adrift of Swindon with a game in hand ahead of

Kieran Brown (2), Balint Pakozdi, Innes Gallacher and Kurts Baumanis - with his first-ever goal at NIHL National level - all found the net as the Knights took the lead five times.

But they were pegged back on each occasion and denied the extra point by Bayley Harewood.

Hull Seahawks produced an impressive performance on the road to win 5-1 at Basingstoke Bison – but head coach Matty Davies was more concerned with an injury sustained by import defenceman, Brock Bartholomew.

The visitors’ got themselves 4-0 inside two periods when Jack Musil’s 12th-minute opener was followed by an Emil Svec hat-trick.

Thomas Relf hit back on the power play for the hosts at 44.38 but Johnny Corneil ensured a happy bus ride home from Hampshire when he restored the four-goal advantage in the 53rd minute.

"Job done,” said Davies ahead of Sunday night’s visit from Swindon, which Bartholomew will miss. “But it’s disappointing and it’s a tough one. We’ve lost Brock there, we don’t know how bad it is but it doesn’t look good.

"So we come away on what is a bit of a disappoitning night, if I’m honest.

"We’ll get it assessed but, right now, it’s pretty bad.”