DARCY Ward was unable to inspire the Swindon Robins to victory this evening despite producing an impressive debut at number one against Leicester Lions on his return to Elite League racing.

The Australian ace, who has joined Swindon on loan from Poole Pirates to replace the outgoing Adrian Miedzinski, collected 15+1 points at Beaumont Park but it was not enough to tame the Lions.

Ward, recently back from a 10-month ban, scored three heat wins from six, including one in a tactical ride, and he was supported well by Grzegorz Zengota with 14+1.

It was a tough night for the Robins’ other new rider, Eduard Krcmar, who scored two points from five rides after being drafted in to replace Kyle Howarth.

The Robins were always going to be up against it with captain Troy Batchelor and fellow Aussie Nick Morris both ruled out injured, and the night hinged on a double exclusion for Ward and Swindon guest Craig Cook in heat 13 as a 5-0 Lions win gave them a hefty nine-point cushion with just two races to go.

Ward had earlier enjoyed a dream start to his Robins career as he flew out of the gates in heat one to take a storming victory, although fellow new boy Krcmar was well off the back.

The Lions soon got the upper hand, though, as they claimed three 4-2 victories in a row to inch ahead on the scoreboard, although the last of those was a close run thing as Zengota was held off on the line by Szymon Wozniak.

And the Robins’ plight deepened after a nightmare heat five, with Krcmar retiring after Swindon guest Adam Roynon had already been excluded as Carl Wilkinson took a 5-0 for the Lions to put them 11 points ahead.

That deficit did allow Swindon to ride a tactical in the next and Ward took full advantage to claim an 8-1, although it was heart-in-mouth stuff as he only just passed guest Cook on the line.

And the Robins were able to make it back-to-back wins in the next as Zengota stormed across the line ahead of home skipper Jason Doyle.

Wozniak then got Leicester back in the winners’ enclosure, although there was some solace for Swindon as Krcmar claimed his first points of the night in second.

Zengota then claimed his second heat win of the night in nine, while Ward had his third in heat 10, both doing so in convincing fashion.

The spoils were shared in the next but a 4-2 for Leicester gave them a four-point lead with three races to go.

And the Robins race was run in 13 as Ward went down and was excluded from the re-run, in which guest Cook also fell alone handing the Lions an easy 5-0.

The Lions increased their lead further in heat 14, although Swindon can take a smidgen of comfort from the final race as Zengota and Ward stormed to an impressive one-two, although it was a case of too little, too late.