SWINDON’S patched-up team put in plenty of effort but were eventually beaten 56-38 at Coventry on Friday.

Several of the Robins’ guest riders showed up well, although a lack of race wins cost them as home riders took the flag in 13 of the 15 heats.

Swindon asset Grzegorz Zengota enjoyed a superb night against his old club, dropping his only point to Jason Doyle in Heat 15, whilst the Bees’ reserves also scored heavily with Michal Szczepaniak carding paid-15.

The Robins’ two race wins did result in 5-1 advantages, and they started the meeting with a maximum as Doyle and reserve Micky Dyer left Chris Harris trailing at the back in the opening race.

And when Doyle and Schlein combined for a 5-1 over Harris and Scott Nicholls in Heat 13, Swindon had an outside chance of salvaging a league point from the meeting.

But their regular riders Nick Morris and Kacper Gomolski both struggled on the night, and when Morris slipped off on the first bend of Heat 14 their hopes were at an end.

Doyle led the Robins’ scorechart with 12 (paid 14), including a tactical ride second place in Heat 11 with Aaron Summers taking the win for Coventry as Nicholls fell – and the other double-points ride went to Josh Grajczonek, who impressed in the first half of the meeting although he too had to be content with four points after a brave outside pass by Nicholls.

Swindon boss Alun Rossiter said: “I’m a bit worried about Kacper, and Nick had a night he will want to forget very quickly, but there is not an awful lot to say. The riders gave it their very best, and we can’t ask anything more.”

COVENTRY 56: Grzegorz Zengota 15+1, Michal Szczepaniak 13+2, Scott Nicholls 11+2, Aaron Summers 9+1, Chris Harris 6, Stuart Robson 2, Olly Allen r/r.

SWINDON 38: Jason Doyle 12+2, Josh Grajczonek 10, Rory Schlein 9, Micky Dyer 5+2, Kacper Gomolski 1+1, Nick Morris 1+1, Peter Kildemand r/r.