SWINDON Robins endured a disastrous week in terms of their play-off aspirations with three defeats in five days.

They now occupy the fourth and final play-off place in the Elite League table but reigning champions Poole, who are three points behind, have a massive five fixtures in hand.

There are no league meetings this week as the World Cup takes place with England team manager Alun Rossiter hoping his national side can take an unlikely win in Manchester on Saturday.

Swindon return to the league with a home clash against sixth-placed King’s Lynn on Thursday, August 4.

The Stars also have five matches in hand of Swindon and a home loss on that night would surely finally end Swindon’s play-off hopes.

Following last Monday's big defeat at Wolverhampton, the side were at King’s Lynn 48 hours later.

Heavy rain eventually forced a 9.40pm abandonment with the Stars 16-8 behind. If only . . .

Thursday saw Belle Vue Aces at the Abbey. Some 20,000 gallons of water had been pumped on to the track in the previous 12 hours but 90 minutes before the start a light drizzle started and continued throughout the ultimately-curtailed match.

Race one saw home skipper Jason Doyle and fellow Aussie Rohan Tungate both come from the back for an opening 4-2 to the Robins in the fastest time of the season, with Doyle taking Matej Zagar on the final bend.

It was nick and tuck before the Aces took the lead in heat seven with their own 4-2 to go two points up. Nick Morris and Josh Grajczonek then headed home Max Fricke and Scott Nicholls to make it 22-20.

But Fricke and reserve Joe Jacobs again put the Manchester side ahead with a 5-1 against Charles Wright and a disappointing Tungate before Jacobs and Richie Worrall gave the Aces a second 5-1 race win as Wright came down on the last bend. His injury resulted in his missing fixtures for his Premier League side Somerset over the next two days.

By then the drizzle had made conditions difficult and it was no surprise when the meeting was abandoned with the stronger Aces’ 39-33 lead standing.

Doyle, Grajczonek, Morris and Wright did well but Tungate, Justin Sedgmen and stand-in reserve Rob Branford contributed only three points between them from 10 rides.

SWINDON 33: Jason Doyle 9, Charles Wright 7+1, Josh Grajczonek 7+1, Nick Morris 7, Rohan Tungate 2+1, Rob Branford 1, Justin Sedgmen 0.

BELLE VUE 39: Joe Jacobs 8+2, Steve Worrall 8, Max Fricke 5+1, Craig Cook 5+1, Scott Nicholls 5, Richie Worrall 4+1, Matej Zagar 4+1.

Friday saw Swindon at Lakeside in a rearranged league fixture which meant that Grajczonek and Tungate were forced to ride for Somerset, as would Wright had he been fit.

Meanwhile Stefan Nielsen was still injured and there is talk of his being out for the rest of the season.

Robins manager Rossiter had little choice but to contest the fixture but being forced to use guests and rider replacements did nothing for the sport’s credibility.

In the circumstances a 51-39 defeat was perhaps better than might have been expected with veteran guest Stuart Robson’s 12-point contribution key. Morris’ three wins were welcome and he is showing signs of coming back to form. Doyle also contributed three race victories.

LAKESIDE 51: Andreas Jonsson 12+1, Edward Kennett 11+2, Kim Nilsson 7+2, Richard Lawson 7+1, Lewis Kerr 6+1, Lewis Bridger 5+1, Rob Mear 3.

SWINDON 39: Jason Doyle 12, Stuart Robson 12, Nick Morris 11+1, Bjarne Pedersen 2, Justin Sedgmen 1, Danny Ayres 1, Rohan Tungate r/r.