PATCHED-UP Leicester suffered last-gasp heartache as they went down 52-40 against high-flying Swindon at the Abbey.
The Watling JCB Lions were hit by injuries and fixture clashes ahead of their trip to Wiltshire but came within a whisker of pulling off one of the shocks of the season.
They had launched a stunning fightback to draw level after 12 races before eventually falling short of a consolation point.
It was nonetheless an encouraging night for Jim Lynch’s side against an in-form Robins’ side, who moved top of the SGB Premiership table after their 10th straight win.
But they were left counting the potential cost after Lasse Bjerre withdrew with a knee injury suffered when he clipped Tobiasz Musielak’s back wheel and high-sided in heat 10.
Erik Riss was in the thick of the action throughout, scoring eight points including a timely win alongside Nicholls in heat 11.
Yet the German ace admitted they were frustrated to miss out after conceding three 5-1s in the final three races.
Said Riss: "We did well to get back level towards the end, so of course we're disappointed to leave without any points.
"It's such a hard track to come to because the home riders have got their bike setups dialled in.
"I personally struggled to find the setup all night. I couldn't find anything that worked and in the race I won I was just lucky to get into the dirt off the outside gate.
"Like in the last couple of weeks we just had a bit of bad luck. I don't think we're a bad side, we could have beat them, but we just didn't quite have enough tonight."
Guesting No.5 Thomas Jorgensen claimed two race wins including a determined ride to hold off Nick Morris in heat four.
Josh Bates also battled to victory in heat two plus was involved in a stunning heat 12 battle with Bradley Wilson-Dean as they drew level.
Scott Nicholls stepped into the No.1 spot and top scored, pulling off arguably the ride of the night to squeeze between Musielak and Chris Harris to win heat 10.
Meanwhile, Rohan Tungate was fortunate to walk away from a nasty crash in heat five when he shed a chain when occupying third place and recovered to notch paid eight.
Leicester will be back in action looking to continue their upturn in form and secure a second straight home win against King’s Lynn at Beaumont Park on Saturday (7.30).
SWINDON 52: David Bellego 13+1, Chris Harris 12+2, Nick Morris 9, Tobiasz Musielak 8+1, Adam Ellis 5+2, Bradley Wilson-Dean 5+1, Simon Lambert 0.
LEICESTER 40: Scott Nicholls 11+1, Erik Riss 8, Rohan Tungate 7+1, Josh Bates 7+1, Thomas Jorgensen 7, Lasse Bjerre 0, Pawel Przedpelski r/r.
