LEICESTER skipper Danny King admitted they were left wondering what could have been after suffering a 48-42 defeat at Belle Vue on Friday night.
The Watling JCB Lions were leading for large chunks of the meeting and held a six point advantage entering the final three races.
Yet the table-topping Aces roared to three 5-1s in the closing stages to swing the deficit in their favour and force the Beaumont Park outfit to settle for a consolation point.
King, who experienced a mixed night on his way to 6+1 points, says they would have “taken a point” before the meeting but were frustrated not to emerge with more following their determined display.
Said King: “We certainly would’ve taken a point beforehand, but when you’re there or thereabouts like we were it’s frustrating not to be able to finish it off.
“They obviously ended with three 5-1s which is tough to take from our point of view, but we can take plenty of positives from it.
“At the end of the day it’s still a great point at a tough place to visit, but you can’t help feeling a bit like we threw it away at the end.”
Danish flyer Michael Palm Toft top scored for the visitors as he made a guest appearance in the No.2 spot, whilst all-action reserve Josh Bates battled to nine points.
Kacper Gomolski impressed to bag paid double figures whilst heat-leader duo King and Kim Nilsson made solid contributions.
Reserve Danny Ayres also partnered Bates to a 5-1 in heat two as they took an early lead, but Aussie ace Max Fricke struck a stunning paid maximum for the hosts to lead them to victory.
BELLE VUE 48: Max Fricke 14+1, Craig Cook 10+2, Steve Worrall 9, Justin Sedgmen 8+1, Dan Bewley 4+1, Jack Smith 3, Kenneth Bjerre r/r
LEICESTER 42: Michael Palm Toft 10+2, Josh Bates 9, Kacper Gomolski 8+2, Kim Nilsson 7+1, Danny King 6, Danny Ayres 2+1, Erik Riss r/r
SGB Premiership points: Belle Vue 3 Leicester 1
Picture: IAN CHARLES
