SWINDON suffered last gasp heartache as they slipped to a 46-44 defeat in a thrilling Elite League encounter at Belle Vue.

Grand Prix star Matej Zagar snatched second place from Peter Kildemand and Troy Batchelor on the final bend of a tense last heat decider to strike an Aces 5-1 alongside Scott Nicholls and limit the visitors to a consolation point.

The M&S Van Rental Robins had raced into an early six point advantage – although the Aces fought back with successive 5-1s in heats nine and 10 to leave Alun Rossiter’s side trailing entering the closing stages.

But after Swindon struck a timely maximum in heat 13 they entered a tense last-heat decider with a slender two point advantage – only to see Zagar condemn them to a narrow defeat following a scintillating clash.

Team boss Alun Rossiter admitted he would have been happy to take a point heading to Kirkmanshulme Lane – but he conceded he was disappointed to miss out on what would have been a memorable away win.

Said Rossiter: “I’m happy with a point, but to be honest it’s a bit of a bittersweet pill to take after being so close to getting the win.

“We had heat 15 under control until PK lost his steel shoe going into turn four, and it’s really frustrating to miss out like that.

“But there are lots of positives to take from it after another good performance, and that could be an important point for us at the end of the season.”

In-form youngster Nick Morris top scored for the visitors – suffering just one defeat from his four outings with another fine display.

Fellow heat-leaders Peter Kildemand and Troy Batchelor notched paid double figures to form a strong spearhead, whilst Kyle Howarth and Charles Wright made useful contributions.

However, Lewis Rose and Grzegorz Zengota endured nights to forget as the Robins fell agonisingly short despite adding what could be a vital point to their Elite League tally.

Rossiter’s side will be back in action a week on Thursday as they welcome Leicester to the Abbey on May 21 (7.30).

BELLE VUE 46: Steve Worrall 10+2, Matej Zagar 9+1, Scott Nicholls 9+1, Craig Cook 6, Josh Grajczonek 5+1, Max Fricke 4, Stefan Nielsen 3.

SWINDON 44: Nick Morris 11, Troy Batchelor 9+3, Peter Kildemand 9+1, Charles Wright 7, Kyle Howarth 5, Lewis Rose 2+1, Grzegorz Zengota 1.