ALUN Rossiter lauded his Swindon Robins troops after they gave their Elite League campaign a much-needed kick-start with a dazzling display to beat King’s Lynn Stars 55-37 this evening.

Swindon’s start to the new campaign has been besieged by problems, with skipper Troy Batchelor and number one Adrian Miedzinski both laid up with injury since the season-opening defeat at home to reigning champions Poole Pirates.

Even the Robins’ back-ups have been struck down, with proposed replacement number one Peter Kildemand suffering an injury of his own ahead of a potential return to the Abbey Stadium.

Robins and Great Britain boss Rossiter has labelled the opening month of the 2015 season the toughest spell of his managerial career and could not hold back his emotions as Swindon outshone Stars at the Abbey.

In doing so, Swindon claimed just a second success in the first five fixtures of the campaign and also avenged the 53-40 defeat in the reverse fixture in Norfolk 24 hours earlier.

Guest number one Hans Andersen led the charge with three wins and two second places on the night, while stand-in skipper Nick Morris also excelled with two victories of his own, a haul matched by both Kyle Howarth and Grezgorz Zengota.

“You won’t get much better racing than that, I wouldn’t think. That was a great win, I am over the moon,” said a relieved Rossiter.

“It’s been really tough, probably the hardest time I’ve had in my managerial time.

“It’s easy to say we haven’t got this or haven’t got that, but it’s been really difficult to try and motivate and talk to riders when they are not your riders.

“At Lakeside we only had two of our own riders and then we had two guests at King’s Lynn.

“It’s been really tough, I’m not going to lie, but I am really pleased as everyone has dug in and we’ve done really well tonight.

“It was great speedway all night. I’m really happy and you can see the smile on face, it was a great performance.

“All we’ve got to do is win at home and then build up some confidence when we go away.

“I’ve got to give a special mention to Nick. Four or five times he’s beaten (Stars number one) Neils-Kristian Iversen in two days. I’m pretty reserved on my praise for him but I am pretty proud of him tonight.”

Rossiter hopes this result can be the catalyst for an improved run of form for the Robins and added that he hopes to see both Batchelor and Kildemand back in Swindon colours for next Thursday’s home meeting with Wolverhampton Wolves.

“I hope we have PK and Troy back next week but anything can happen,” added Rossiter.

“The way our season has started I am not counting my chickens one little bit.

“It’s just fingers crossed and day by day hope the riders who are riding for their Premier League clubs come through unscathed.”