ALUN Rossiter remains in a buoyant mood heading into Swindon Robins’ SGB Premiership semi-final second leg with Poole Pirates, despite his side being dumped out of the Knockout Cup on Friday.

The Swindon chief was frustrated after watching his side narrowly crash out at Belle Vue, but insists there is no time to sulk ahead of tonight’s meeting at the Abbey Stadium.

After suffering just their third defeat in 21 meetings, Rossiter says the loss may prove to be a timely boost for his side, who will be looking for redemption against the Pirates.

“I don’t think it will affect the side now. I think it will spur the side on because it is all or nothing tonight, it is as simple as that,” said Rossiter.

“Maybe losing has done us a little favour, but hopefully we will be back to full strength and that will spur us on.

“We’ve seen that 11 points can be overturned so two can be overturned without a shadow of a doubt. We had a great run and I said it shouldn't be in vain so it really is all or nothing.”

The hosts will carry a slender two-point lead from the opening leg at Wimborne Road, which they won 46-44 on the south coast two weeks ago, and receive a shot in the arm with the return of skipper Jason Doyle and reserve Bradley Wilson-Dean, much to the delight of Rossiter.

Doyle underlined his form as he claimed third place in Saturday night’s Grand Prix in Stockholm, a result which left him 22 points clear in the World Championship standings and edged him closer to his first global title.

“Jason being back will be a boost for us, hopefully we will have our full quartet ready to go,” added Rossiter.

“Bradley will be back. He would have been okay for Thursday but he was riding in Scunthorpe.

“His meeting got rained off but I had already made the decision, but Bradley could have done it.”

The Robins have slashed their ticket price for their second leg in a bid to get a bumper crowd at the Abbey Stadium, with tickets just £10.

And Rossiter believes the home support could play a pivotal role in the meeting as he implored the Swindon fans to fill the stadium.

“We are going to need the Swindon support more than ever tonight. It’s £10 to get in and we really need them to get behind the team,” he said.

“It’s our last hurrah.”

JOIN HARRY ABBOTT FOR SPEEDWAY LIVE FROM TONIGHT'S PREMIERSHIP SEMI FINAL SECOND LEG AT THE ABBEY STADIUM. FIND HIM AT SWINDONADVERTISER.CO.UK/SPORT FROM 7PM FOR ALL THE ACTION AND REACTION