On-song Swindon Robins have boss Alun Rossiter chirpy again after Leicester Lions victory

Rossiter’s men had already lost three meetings in the week, home and away at Elite League champions Poole Pirates, while bottom side Leicester were also victorious at the Abbey Stadium on Thursday.

The problems continued to come for the Robins as Rohan Tungate was deemed unfit to ride, while Nick Morris also saw his night cut short after suffering an ankle injury in the second of two falls at Beaumont Park.

However, Swindon refused to roll over and put everything on the line to finish on high and put and difficult week behind them.

“It was a very good meeting,” said Rossiter.

“I just spoke to the boss (Terry Russell) and he said we probably both would have been happy if we’d reversed the scores; if we’d won at home and they’d won here, but that’s speedway.

“The boys dug in against everything. We lost Nick, we had Rider Replacement for Rohan, but the boys dug deep (last night) and showed a lot of character.”

Rossiter had demanded a response from his middle order riders in the wake of the home loss to the Lions and they duly delivered.

Skipper Jason Doyle led the way with an imperious 17+1 points haul, Justin Sedgmen and Josh Grajczonek chipped in with 9+3 and 9+1 respectively, while Nick Morris had five points from the two rides he was able to finish before injury struck.

“We had to finish on a positive. We shouldn’t have lost on Thursday. Everyone knows that,” added Rossiter.

“When I spoke to the boys, there was no team-talk (last night). I didn’t have to get stuck into them. They knew that it wasn’t good enough on Thursday and that should never have happened.

“They all went out there and did their bit. The top five – Sedgy, Josh and obviously Jason, and to a point Nick as well  – was the difference and when they go, that’s what we need.

“Unfortunately, the middle order hasn’t been doing it but (last night), the middle order did their job.”