TEAM boss Jim Lynch reiterated the need to strengthen after watching Leicester slip to a 49-41 home defeat to Belle Vue.
Kim Nilsson’s new track record was scant consolation as Lions lost the services of Danny King to injury in the build up before letting slip a four-point lead.
The Aces ended with two maximum heat advantages from the final three races to take four Premiership points back to Manchester, rubber stamping their status as away-day specialists.
“We’re very disappointed but to be honest, it illustrates the problem we have at the moment,” said Lynch. “It needs another rider to shuffle things. We can see where the problems are and we have to move on.
“I was very pleased with Jason Garrity, he was terrific considering his injury but Lasse (Bjerre) never got going. Belle Vue have a good side, though, there is no getting away from that.”
Despite the pre-meeting setback, number one Nilsson led from the front by taking the opener in a new best time of 60.81.
Danny Ayres, recently back from his own injury worries, thankfully escaped a crash when he was almost collected by the falling Jack Smith in a shared second race.
Nilsson’s second win from the gate in heat four had the Lions four up but guest pair Nick Morris and Josh Grajczonek immediately restored parity.
Kenneth Bjerre, the scorer of 16-paid-17 for the Aces, then set off on a run of four straight wins, his second putting his side four up after nine outings.
Like their opponents, Leicester hit straight back to level with some tremendous team riding from Erik Riss and Nilsson and the rivals traded maximums up until a shared 14th.
With Belle Vue four to the good, Morris and Kenneth Bjerre had the last laugh to snatch an extra yield.
King now faces a race for fitness to defend his status as British champion on Monday (7.30, live on BT Sport) with Lynch hopeful he can make it.
“Danny is trying to be fit for Monday but we don’t know if he will,” said Lynch.
“It was a nasty knock to his leg which now has a lot of swelling. Realistically, he has to wait for that to come down again so it can be looked at properly.
“These riders are strong lads, though, so I think he will be okay. We certainly wish him all the best.”
LEICESTER 41: Kim Nilsson 12+1, Erik Riss 8+1, Jason Garrity 8+1, Josh Bates 8+1, Lasse Bjerre 3+2, Danny Ayres 2+1, Danny King r/r.
BELLE VUE 49: Kenneth Bjerre 16+1, Nick Morris 10+2, Josh Grajczonek 10+1, Dan Bewley 7, Justin Sedgmen 6, Jack Smith 0, Steve Worrall r/r.
