Eastbourne collected a 54-39 success at the Showground as an out-of-sorts city side wasted a golden chance to move within touching distance of Elite League safety.

Skipper Ryan Sullivan managed only three points on a miserable night for Panthers - and they have been ordered to make amends when table-topping Poole roll into Alwalton on Monday.

Stand-in team boss Wayne Swales - deputising for father Trevor again - said: "We are right back to square one after undoing all the good work of Monday when we beat Swindon so well.

"The riders don't need telling they performed badly and that this was not a good result - they know that.

"We certainly can't afford a repeat if we are going to get ourselves out of trouble. Any more displays like this and we will really be in dire straits.

"What they do need to do is come back from it and produce a real performance against Poole."

Kenneth Bjerre topped the Panthers scores with 13+1 points but could do nothing to prevent a heavy loss.

He admitted: "It was one of those days when everyone really struggled, but we can't afford any more defeats like this at home."

Injured Pole Karol Zabik is hoping to race in his homleand on Sunday and is likely to return for Panthers the following day if he comes through unscathed.