SWINDON boss Ronnie Russell admitted a sluggish start and finish cost his side Elite League points at Belle Vue last night.

The Robins were defeated 51- 39 at Kirkmanshulme Lane in a meeting where they more than matched their hosts for the majority of the action.

Simon Stead lead the scoring with paid 12, with the returning Thomas H. Jonasson (10) and skipper Leigh Adams (9) also making weighty contributions.

For the Aces, who operated the rider replacement facility in the absence of Tobias Kroner, Patrick Hougaard (paid 13), Leigh Lanham (paid 13) and Peter Karlsson (12) all impressed.

“It was very strange really because when we got to heat 12, I was fully convinced we were actually going to win the match,” said Russell.

“I was also 100 per cent sure that we‘d come away with at least something.

“Sadly two 5-1s in (heats) two and three and 13 and 14 turned the complexion of the meeting round.

“It’s a shame because it really looked like we were going to walk away with a victory.”

Under-fire Danes Mads Korneliussen and Morten Risager both struggled in Swindon kevlars once again, and while Russell was cagey on the specifics of their respective futures, he revealed that the search for new signings was ongoing.

“We’re endeavouring to do something,” said the boss.

“We’d like it to happen immediately but there’s other clubs involved.”

Belle Vue opened up a 13-5 lead following the first three heats, thanks in no small part to reserve Josh Grajczonek, who took five points in races two and three.

Within a further three heats, Swindon had pulled it back to 18-18 with wins coming from Jonasson, Adams and Stead to get them back in contention.

The Robins were always in touch and were just 38-34 down following heat 12, but disaster struck as first Adams and Stead and then Korneliussen and Jonasson were both on the end of maximum defeats.

Stead won the last contest but it made no difference to the overall result as Swindon were sent back to Wiltshire with no points to show for their efforts.