KING’S Lynn Young Stars saw their play-off hopes dealt a bitter blow with a 47-43 defeat against Coventry Storm at the Adrian Flux Arena.

The Stebbings Car Superstore side slipped to a narrow loss in a tense National League encounter as they missed out on the chance to make up ground on the top four.

Team manager Dale Allitt admitted it was a disappointing night as his side were beaten at home by Coventry for the fourth straight season.

“It was very disappointing, and obviously not the result we wanted,” Allitt said.

“After losing Shane (Hazelden) we needed the top five all to fire, but we didn’t do that for various reasons and we paid the price.

“Fair play to Coventry, they won fair and square on the night to continue their winning record against us.”

It was a solid all-around team performance from the Young Stars, with all of the top five recording at least one race win.

But nobody was able to kick-on and reach double figures, with influential No.5 Nathan Greaves experiencing a tough evening with an engine failure and a fall.

Taylor Hampshire put in an encouraging debut display at reserve, but Lewis Whitmore struggled to make an impact as the Young Stars felt the loss of broken leg victim Shane Hazelden in the lower order.

The Young Stars will be back in action next Friday, August 26 as they travel to Manchester for a huge meeting with fellow play-off hopefuls Belle Vue.

KING’S LYNN 43: Josh Bailey 9, Ryan Kinsley 9, Tom Stokes 7+3, Scott Campos 7+1, Taylor Hampshire 5+1, Nathan Greaves 5, Lewis Whitmore 1.
COVENTRY 47: Ellis Perks 12, Mitchell Davey 11+1, Liam Carr 9, Ryan Terry-Daley 5, Callum Walker 5, Jamie Halder 4+2, Conor Dwyer 1+1.