WILDCATS might have only managed four points from their first six EPL games, but D-man Joe Baird believes more performances like the one against Manchester on Sunday will see the Link Centre side's fortunes turn round sooner rather than later.

Swindon fought back from 5-2 to 5-4 down at Altrincham Ice Dome and Matias Perkkio had a powerplay goal disallowed with 42 seconds left that could have taken the clash to overtime.

And ahead of tonight's trip to league leaders Basingstoke (face-off 7.30pm), Baird told the Advertiser that his team will get what they deserve if they continue to 'battle' as they have done.

“I think we gave a good account of ourselves against Manchester. You're always going to have lulls in hockey, that's why teams score goals, it's a breakdown of the system,” he said.

“They had the first initial punch, we didn't give up, we came back, we matched them for what they had and there was a goal in it.

“Yes, we were disappointed not to get two points, but we've learnt a lot about ourselves battling back and playing good hockey.

“Like I said, teams are going to score goals and last year if a team scored one or two goals against us we kind of put our heads down a bit whereas this year, we're not that team. We will battle back and we will go to the net and get goals.”

The 32-year-old was impressed by the resolve shown by Swindon when they were asked serious questions by the Phoenix at the weekend, and believes a similar display on a different night could potentially yield a point or even two.

“I think if we play like we did against Manchester, then yes certainly, we can get points out of other games,” he said.

“That game could have gone either way for us, we could have drawn, we could have won in overtime, who knows? “But we were always in the fight and it was just one of those things.

“We match up pretty similar to Manchester in that we're both very offensive teams and our D like to step up and jump into play, and if there's a turnover that leaves us in a little bit of trouble.

“But as long as we're battling and trying to go forward and score goals then we'll take whatever happens.”

Basingstoke have won three out of three on their own ice so far this season and are likely to present a stern test for the Wildcats.

The Herd have scored 13 goals and conceded just one at their Hampshire home in 2012/13.

Swindon netminder Dean Skinns is expected to face his former side with Tom Murdy still on the injured list.