Mark Loram made a superb comeback to the Eastbourne Eagles team in last night's Elite League speedway match at Coventry but could not prevent the Sussex outfit going down by 51-38.

Loram top scored with a paid ten points on his first appearance since dislocating an ankle five weeks ago and inflicted the only defeat of the meeting on Coventry's main man Billy Hamill.

Adam Shields won his first two races, and the in-form Joonas Kylmakorpi was again in the points.

But without Nicki Pedersen, injured riding in Poland the previous day, and with Loram, David Norris and Dean Barker all less than 100 per cent fit, Eastbourne were finally overpowered.

Eagles led by five points after heat three when Coventry riders Lee Richardson and Stuart Robson both crashed out.

The home side went in front after six races, however, and although Eagles were only seven points down with three heats to go they never really looked like winning after that.

Coventry are now virtually assured of second place, while Eastbourne's play-off hopes are fading fast.

Coventry: Billy Hamill 14, Andreas Jonsson 11, Ryan Fisher 8, Lee Richardson 7, Billy Janniro 6, Stuart Robson 3, Jason Bunyan 2.

Eastbourne: Mark Loram 9, Joonas Kylmakorpi 8, Adam Shields 7, Jason Lyons 6, Dean Barker 5, David Norris 2, Adrian Rymel 1.