AN EIGHT-point defeat away to in-form SGB Premiership outfit Belle Vue Aces under difficult circumstances encouraged Alun Rossiter, who held no grudges with his riders despite Swindon Robins suffering their heaviest defeat of the season.

Missing Tobiasz Musielak, who dislocated his shoulder in Poland on Sunday, Rossiter was forced to track a six-man team at the National Speedway Stadium – with rider replacement operated in Musielak’s absence.

Only five points resulted from the Pole’s replacement rides, while reserve pair Zach Wajtknecht and James Shanes again struggled – scoring just two points from their eight rides combined.

Those stats proved Robins’ undoing, while the Aces excelled on their home track in the meeting’s early stages - and had reserve pair Dimitri Berge and Jaimon Lidsey to thank for their respectable win.

Rossiter said: “It was a fantastic team performance.

“I’ve got to be honest, I didn’t think we would get anything from this meeting. To go into the last race needing a 3-3 – which we could’ve quite easily got – is excellent.

“It’s one of those things. When you get to that point, the expectation is greater.

“From a five-man team, that was a great performance.

“James (Shanes) is struggling for speed, I don’t know what to do there. But Zach (Wajtknecht) had a couple of good races.

“I’m disappointed, but if I’m honest I didn’t expect any points from this meeting tonight without Tobiasz (Musielak).”

The addition of Jason Doyle has certainly benefitted the Robins’ options in the latter stages of meetings this season.

And while it was Doyle who drifted wide to gift Max Fricke a crucial win in heat 15, Rossiter said the former world champion’s addition has benefitted the team this season – particularly with next week’s double header against Poole Pirates in mind.

He added: “We’re strong at the tail-end of meetings this season.

“We didn’t get a point, that’s the way it goes. We’ll battle onto the next one.

“Dawid (Lampart) struggled with his set-up early on, he had to change his bikes around as he had never been here.

“Belle Vue is a difficult track to ride, but he got an important win in heat eight to stem the tide.

“Hopefully we’ll attract another good crowd when the Pirates visit next Monday. We know how good Brady Kurtz is on our track.”