SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter admitted they were simply “beaten by a better team” as their Elite League title dream came crashing down at the Abbey.

Needing to overhaul an eight point deficit to earn a Grand Final spot, the Robins slumped to a 50-45 defeat on home soil as they ran into a Bees side in inspired form.

It was a night to forget all-around for Rossiter’s side as their hopes were ended as early as heat 11 on a difficult evening.

Rossiter admitted tricky track conditions did not help his side after track staff were forced to work tirelessly to get the meeting on after heavy rain earlier in the day.

However, he admitted his side were simply second best as Coventry’s fast starting saw them come out on top.

“It just didn’t go to plan for us at all, and it was a bad night all-around really,” said Rossiter.

“The weather was a bit of a leveller because the track conditions certainly didn’t suit us, but I can’t fault the effort that went in to get the meeting on.

“Full credit to Coventry – they were really up for it and riding well so we were just beaten by a better team in the end.

“They were making starts and we just couldn’t get off the line, we weren’t fast enough away from the gate and with the track the way it was we made things hard for ourselves.

“It was a really disappointing night for us as we were desperate to make it to the Final, so it was a bad way for our season to end.”

SWINDON 45: Peter Kildemand 12+1, Troy Batchelor 9+1, Nick Morris 7+1, Steve Worrall 7, Simon Gustafsson 6, Dakota North 4, Nathan Greaves 0.

COVENTRY 50: Kyle Howarth 13+1, Max Fricke 10+1, Chris Harris 7+1, James Sarjeant 7, Hans Andersen 6+1, Jason Garrity 4, Kenneth Hansen 3+1.

Coventry win 99-86 on aggregate.