Speedway: Swindon Robins boss Rossiter resigned to second place

Swindon Robins manager Alun Rossiter says his side's chances of finishing top of the Elite League table are slipping away, following their 49-41 defeat by leaders Poole.

Second-place Robins went in to the meeting two points behind leaders Pirates with a match in hand.

It was 36-36 with three races to go at Dorset, but Poole dominated the closing stages to edge the win.

"It's a massive dent for our chances," Rossiter told BBC Wiltshire.

"We're in the hands of other people who can take points off them.

"But we're still in the play-offs so we can go to the finals and try and get revenge."

Swindon will face Lakeside, who currently sit fifth in the table, on Thursday at the Abbey Stadium and Rossiter has urged his squad to keep up the pressure on Poole.

"I'm frustrated but I couldn't criticise the boys," he continued. "I don't think there's any need to be kicking bums.

"We've had a fantastic season, and we just had a blip on Monday.

"If you'd have said the first leg of the semi-final finished 49-41, to go back to the Abbey eight points down you'd take that.

"But we've got to win against Lakeside and take all three points."