SWINDON Robins boss Alun Rossiter took the chance to give himself a well deserved pat on the back after he masterminded a memorable win away at Lakeside Hammers.

After a slow start, which saw the Robins 12 points behind after five heats, Rossiter was able to construct a comeback which saw Swindon complete their third win in the space of a week.

The victory was the second on the road for Swindon, after Monday’s win over Wolverhampton Wolves, and has tightened their grip on the fourth play-off spot.

What made the win even sweeter for the Abbey Stadium boss was the fact that he only had three of his regular septet, and his use of the replacement rider proved to be telling.

“I am pumped at the moment, it is just unbelievable,” said Rossiter.

“What made me even more pleased is the way we juggled about with our replacement riders tonight.

“We got it absolutely spot on tonight.

“I get criticised quite heavily, but I thought we just played it absolutely on the nail tonight.

“All six riders were outstanding tonight and to get all four points is a massive bonus.

“To get eight points away from home in one week, even in my wildest dreams, I didn’t expect to get eight points.”

There were a host of changes for Swindon in Essex, as they kept just three of their original team.

Aussie ace Nick Morris and reserve Lewis Rose were ruled out through injury and both Eduard Krcmar and Charles Wright were unavailable due a clash of fixtures.

Lewis Blackbird, a small track specialist, was called in for Krcmar, with Carl Wilkinson deputising for Wright at reserve along with Rob Branford who rode well in the home win over the Hammers on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, there were also two changes for the hosts, with Peter Swiderski guesting for the injured Mikkel Bech, and Ben Morley coming in at reserve.

As the sun set on the track, it was the Hammers who took the early advantage as they secured a maximum in heat one, with skipper Andreas Jonsson and Swiderski leading home Ward and Blackbird.

The reserves took a share of the points in heat two, before the hosts pushed home the advantage with heat wins for Jonsson, Adam Ellis and Swiderski stratching their lead to 12 points by the end of heat five.

With the meeting getting away from the Robins, they chose to give number one Darcy Ward the tactical ride in heat six and it worked out perfectly.

The Aussie made a strong start before captain Troy Batchelor passed him down the back straight.

The two combined well to keep the lead, before Ward took the chequered flag for six points, to haul the Robins back into things.

Swindon closed the gap to just one point with a maximum in heat seven, as Grzegorz Zengota led replacement rider Ward home, with the Aussie just pipping Jonsson to the line.

Heat eight started a run of five shared heats as Lawson took the lead out of the first two bends.

However, Swindon took control of the meeting as the Aussies of Ward and Batchelor combined for a maximum over Jonsson and Swiderski to put them ahead for the first time in the evening.

Lawson did well for the hosts in heat 14 to hold off Zengota and Batchelor, but with Kennett struggling with his bike at the back, Swindon went into the final heat with a three point advantage.

The Aussie duo combined again in heat 15 as Ward followed Batchelor around the first two bends to secure the maximum and all four points.

“We were struggling at the beginning and then I put Darcy out on the tactical and him and Troy got the 8-1,” added Rossiter.

“You get an 8-1 and then I have got a rider replacement to use.

“I like coming strong at the end, but I thought that there was no point putting in a weaker rider in the next race, because the advantage from the previous heat would be wiped out.

“We had the momentum, so I went big and put Darcy in and then Zengi pops out and beats Andreas Jonsson, so from an 8-1 to a 5-1.

“Then Batchelor did well and Bramford and Wilkinson were pumped to get the win.

“As long as we split them and kept the difference to one point, we knew we would come strong at the end.

“To get a 5-1 in the last heat was just immense.

“Bringing Darcy in, I knew that would take Batch to the next level and it was a proper captain’s role from him tonight.

“He was thinking clever and we didn’t have to go chasing people, with only one point in it.”

Despite picking up 12 points in the space of just five days to keep their play-off hopes alive, Rossiter is not letting the side get carried away.

“We have just got to keep calm and keep focused and make sure we don’t get carried away,” said the Swindon boss.

“We were brought down to earth with a big bump at Poole and, if we do make the play-offs, we have got to go there and do a better job.

“It is one step at a time and we look forward to the next match at Wolverhampton.

“Hopefully Nick can be back for that. He is having a bit of rest now and hopefully we’ll get him strapped up this time and he will be right.”