LEICESTER suffered their first home defeat in over a month as they went down 50-40 against high-flying Belle Vue at Beaumont Park.
The Watling JCB Lions just missed out in a tight encounter as the Aces earned all four points after a fierce battle between two patched-up sides.
There was little to separate the sides early on, with seven shared heats in the opening eight races as a 5-1 from the visitors in heat three separated the sides.
Yet the Aces pulled clear in heats 11 and 12 to all but secure victory before eventually wrapping things up through the excellent Dan Bewley in the penultimate race.
German ace Erik Riss top scored for the home side, taking victory in the opening race and surviving a frightening moment when he clipped the fence in heat 10 to take his second win of the evening.
Heat 10 delivered the home side with their first heat advantage with No.1 Kim Nilsson charging underneath Paul Starke to snatch third on the run to the line.
The Swedish ace also joined forces with the battling Lasse Bjerre for a surprise 5-1 in heat 13 as he improved as the night progressed in his first home meeting since his injury lay-off.
But Nilsson was frustrated to see their determined efforts come up just short against a strong Belle Vue side boosted by star guest Scott Nicholls.
Nilsson said: “I think Belle Vue were a really strong team tonight, and they had a good guest in Scotty (Nicholls).
“All the guys could take a rider replacement ride for Cookie (Craig Cook) as well, so they were a tough team to come up against tonight.
“I think we performed pretty well and all tried our best, but it’s just a shame we lost in the end.”
Lasse Bjerre also improved as the meeting progressed, twice beating brother Kenneth and scoring nine points.
Guests Kyle Howarth and Todd Kurtz plus reserve Josh Bates also put in creditable performances, but powerhouse top two Nicholls and Bjerre plus teenage ace Bewley ensured the visitors recorded 12 race winners.
The Lions will be back in action on the road as they head to Poole on Monday (7.30), kicking off a busy week during which they will also head to Belle Vue on Friday (7.30) and host Somerset on Saturday (7.30).
LEICESTER 40: Erik Riss 12, Lasse Bjerre 9, Kim Nilsson 6+2, Kyle Howarth 6+1, Josh Bates 4+1, Todd Kurtz 3+3, Pawel Przedpelski r/r.
BELLE VUE 50: Scott Nicholls 14+1, Kenneth Bjerre 13, Steve Worrall 9+2, Dan Bewley 9, Paul Starke 4, Jack Smith 1, Craig Cook r/r.
