KING’S Lynn saw their play-off hopes dealt a bitter blow as they slipped to a 49-41 home defeat at the hands of Coventry.
The Roger Warnes Transport Stars were beaten at the Adrian Flux Arena for the second time this season in a tense encounter with the Bees.
Brilliant performances from Niels-Kristian Iversen and Robert Lambert were not enough to prevent the visitors from claiming all four points.
Team manager Rob Lyon admitted it was a hugely disappointing night for his side which leaves them seventh in the Elite League table and nine points off the all-important top four.
Lyon said: “It certainly wasn’t the result we were looking for, and it was totally unexpected to be brutally honest.
“Fair play to Coventry, they came here and were the better side and deserved their four points in the end.
“There were too many passengers for us, and unfortunately you can’t win meetings with only a few riders firing.”
Teenage ace Lambert reeled off four successive wins in his opening four rides to lead the Stars back onto level terms after they trailed by eight points early on.
Grand Prix racer Iversen also bagged double figures and was involved in some breathtaking action – but they were left short of support on a difficult night.
Simon Lambert twice partnered his namesake Robert to 5-1s as he made an excellent contribution at reserve.
However, Troy Batchelor and Mads Korneliussen managed only three points apiece in heat-leader positions whilst Lewis Rose and Kai Huckenbeck also struggled to make an impact.
They will return to action with a tough trip to Poole next Wednesday (7.30) before aiming to bounce back to winning ways on home soil against Belle Vue 24 hours later on Thursday, June 30 (7.30).
KING’S LYNN 41: Niels-Kristian Iversen 12, Robert Lambert 12, Simon Lambert 9+2, Mads Korneliussen 3+1, Troy Batchelor 3, Lewis Rose 2+1, Kai Huckenbeck 0. COVENTRY 49: Josh Bates 12+1,Krzysztof Kasprzak 11, Danny King 10+1, Chris Harris 9+2, Kacper Woryna 7+1, James Sarjeant 0, Jason Garrity R/R.
