SWINDON Robins boss Alun Rossiter was pleased to blow the cobwebs out as his side slipped to a narrow six-point loss against Belle Vue at the National Speedway Stadium in the first leg of the Charity Shield tonight.

Rossiter’s troops fought back from a troublesome start, which saw them trail by six points after only two heats, to impress in the second half of the meeting as Aces were plagued by Rohan Tungate’s mechanical gremlins.

The result means Robins will now have to peg back the six points dropped at the Abbey Stadium in two days, a meeting that will be the first chance for Robins supporters to watch their team in competitive action.

And it’s a challenge Rossiter is keen for his men to overcome.

He said: “They (Belle Vue) had a few problems but all in all losing by six points is a good first result, especially coming up here away from home.

“Belle Vue is a fair track but if you’re not setup right it can be tough. We saw that with Dan (Bewley) who won a race by half a lap before being stone last after.

“There are plenty of positives to take, the reserves came on strong at the end which is good to see. That was the most pleasing thing.

“Mitchell (Davey) had a good night and Zach (Wajknecht) got going in the end.”

New skipper Nick Morris experienced a steady evening, picking up seven points, while Aussie compatriot Troy Batchelor top scored with 12+1.

Batchelor, returning to the Robins this year following a half-a-season at King’s Lynn last season, picked up a confidence boosting win in heat 15 after displaying impressive team riding skills in heat seven.

Rossiter said: “Troy (Batchelor) likes this track. He looked fast and he said he’s still blowing the cobwebs out so if he can keep going that’ll work well for us.

“Nick was steady. He knows he’s got to give more but everyone has come out in one piece and I’m happy with that.”

Robins entertain Belle Vue Aces in the return fixture at the Abbey Stadium on Thursday night (7.30pm).