Nothing is coming easy for Brighton Cougars and victory at Swindon Sonics in NBL two south proved no exception.

Cougars led by 21 points and held on for a 95-92 win after surviving a blistering fourth quarter comeback by Swindon.

A Ciaran Burns free throw with 4:46 to play gave the Cougars an 89-68 lead but Swindon then went on a tear to get within 92-86 with just under a minute to play.

Cougars' lead peaked at 61-37 three minutes into the second half.

Coach Mike Blatchford said: "I was very pleased with how we played the first half. We picked up our defensive intensity and were able to get the running game going.

"What still haunts us is how we begin to make unnecessary errors when tired. ."

Top scorer Steve McQueen hit three of Cougars' four three-pointers. They return to action at Thames Valley B next Saturday.

Cougars: McQueen 23, Ashcombe 18, Malik 17, Lincoln 14, Laroche 10, Burns 9, Turner 4.

Bognor Pirates have re-signed last year's starting guard Alex Byrne and his skills were in evidence in a 84-74 loss at Colchester.

Paul Sparrowhawk and Andy Pleskys shot Pirates into a 41-36 half-time lead.

The third quarter was even with contributions from all the Bognor bench but coach Dave Goss was unhappy with refereeing decisions in the fourth.

Pirates managed just 16 points, missing 14 free throws, as victory slipped away. Sparrowhawk had 13 rebounds for a double double. Pirates host Cardiff tonight (7pm).

Pirates: Sparrowhawk 20, Albrectsen 12, Bryant 11, Pleskys 10, El-Hakim 6, Clarke 5, Byrne 4, Cousins 4, Skyrme 2.