ROBINS rider Simon Gustafsson is confident that his teammates can haul back the eight point deficit when they host Coventry Bees at the Abbey Stadium on Monday.

Swindon’s hopes of making it through to the Elite League grand final took a dent on Monday night when they were beaten 49-41 by the Bees at Brandon.

Gustafsson had a good start in the meeting and secured two first-place finishes before retiring in his fourth and final race after he came off his bike on the first corner, handing Coventry one of four maximums on the night.

Before Monday night’s meeting, Robins chief Alun Rossiter had picked out Gustafsson as a rider he was hoping would step up to the plate in the play-offs and he would not have been disappointed with the Swede’s seven point haul in difficult circumstances.

The 24-year-old rider is confident that Swindon can still claim a place in the season finale against a Coventry side that did not have any surprises Swindon.

“It started off good, it went bad in my last one, but no I had a decent one so I can’t complain too much really. It is just a shame we didn’t win the meeting,” he said.

“I am sure we will get those eight points back at the Abbey.

“We wanted to draw really - that was the aim, draw or win the meeting that would have been ideal, as long as we weren’t left too far adrift.

“It is only two 5-1 races and we are there again and I think we can do it.

“I think we all feel comfortable about the track and how it has been prepared lately, it shouldn’t be a problem.

“We knew that Coventry were going to be strong, especially (at Brandon) because Garrity is going quick around (there). I thought Hans was going to score a few more points but I think he was struggling with machinery.

“We got away with eight points down, which is still OK and could have been worse.

“You can’t take it easy you just have to go for it from the get go and hope for the best.”

Swindon will face King’s Lynn or Poole Pirates if they make it through to the grand final.

Pirates have a slight advantage going into the second leg of their semi-final after securing a 45-44 win over King’s Lynn at the Norfolk Arena.