A mid-match collapse cost Parsons Peebles Edinburgh Monarchs dear as they skidded to a 50-39 defeat at Ipswich Witches in the SGB Championship.
Monarchs bosses claimed bad luck also had a part to play as precious points slipped away.
Mitchell Davey admitted the squad was disappointed that they didn’t leave with at least a point.
He added: “In the early part of the meeting we were gating really well but Ipswich just seemed to find a bit extra out of the gate.
“Three 5-1’s in the middle of the meeting killed us and it gave them the momentum to go on and win.’
Monarchs made a solid start to the match, sharing the first three heats and this could have been better though as Josh Pickering came to grief on the final lap while on a 5-1 with partner Erik Riss in the third race.
And, heading into Heat 8 Monarchs were three points ahead.
The wheels were to come off as the home men raced to maximum advantages in each of the next three heats.
On a difficult track with passing at a premium, Monarchs’ riders were then left at the start and the races were all but over by the second bend.
Witches provided four of the next five race winners meaning seven of the last eight races were all taken by a home man.
The only exception was Josh Pickering winning Heat 14 from tape to flag.
A final heat 4-2 from Danny King and ex-Monarchs rider Rory Schlein made the score look comfortable.
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