ALUN Rossiter admitted that Charlie Gjedde's absence ultimately cost his side victory last night at Poole.

The Robins went down 50-43 against the Poole Pirates and lost the aggregate bonus point in the process.

Team boss Rossiter said he can take heart from the way his side finished the meeting as they forced a last-heat decider without Danish star Gjedde, who opted to race for his homeland club Outrup instead.

"In fairness all the boys did really well," said Rossiter. "Poole thought they would wipe the floor with us and they didn't.

"The difference was Charlie Gjedde though. Not having him really cost us."

Full report, reaction and pictures in Thursday's Swindon Advertiser