SWINDON Robins claimed a rather unexpected away point at league favourites Wolverhampton on Monday, although falling to their third defeat in a row, writes Phil Rice.

Several of the side have little or no experience of the tight Monmore Green circuit but they battled back from 14 points down with three races remaining to a narrow 49-43 reverse.

Nick Morris (11+2) was unbeaten by an opponent in his last three rides and captain Jason Doyle scored 15 as the Robins rallied hard.

“Wolverhampton is probably the best team in the league at the moment,” said Morris. “Not many teams will come here and salvage anything. We looked down and out in the middle of the meeting but managed to pull it back.

“The team has been doing well away from home wherever we have been. Everyone expected us to get beaten by a fair bit but we came here with an open mind and managed to get something.”

Doyle had seized the initiative in customary style from the gate in heat 13 with Morris just managing to resist pressure from early world championship leader Freddie Lindgren.

The result ended Lindgren’s imperious run of 20 heats without losing to an opponent at the Monmore Green circuit.

David Bellego, who improved as the meeting went on, helped to secure a 3-3 in heat 14 to leave Doyle and Morris in need of another maximum to pinch something.

This time, Jacob Thorssell gave chase before locking up on the last lap as Morris again took second behind his flying compatriot.

Now attention turns to the home clash with Somerset on Bank Holiday Monday (5pm) with Morris determined for the Robins to make up for lost time on home shale.

“We just need to start picking up our home form and we’ll be alright,” he said. “We’re picking up enough points on the road so if we start winning at our track, we’ll be in a good spot come the end of the season.

“We just haven’t been clicking at Swindon like we know we can. A few of the boys have been struggling but hopefully, it will happen for us soon.”

The rumour mill at Swindon is buzzing with the suggestion that former Robin Rohan Tungate may return to replace currently sidelined Bradley Wilson-Dean after the Monday meeting.

Last Saturday night, David Bellego and Adam Ellis competed in Europe.

Bellego rode in Gorican, Croatia in the final qualifying round of the European Championship but found the standard high and could finish only 15th.

He rallied the following day to top-score for his Polish club with 13+1.

Ellis raced in a semi-final round of the World Under 21 Championship in Eskilstuna, Sweden and narrowly failed to qualify for the three-round final.

On Thursday the young Swindon Sprockets face Plymouth in the National League Trophy.

WOLVERHAMPTON 49: Rory Schlein 10+1, Freddie Lindgren 10, Sam Masters 9, Jacob Thorssell 8+2, Kyle Howarth 7+1, Mark Riss 3+1, Nathan Greaves 2.

SWINDON 43: Jason Doyle 15, Nick Morris 11+2, David Bellego 5, Zach Wajtknecht 4+3, Dany Gappmaier 4+1, Adam Ellis 4, Bradley Wilson-Dean R/R.