Martin Dugard, one-time Oxford double winner, aims to put another spoke in the Elite League challenge of the current Cheetahs team at Arlington Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

The Eastbourne skipper top scored when Eagles pulled off a shock win at Oxford last Friday and will be gunning for the title favourites again in the return clash.

Dugard was in the Oxford team which lifted the league and cup 12 years ago, but he won't be doing the visitors any favours now.

"I earn my living by winning races, and that comes first. It doesn't matter who you are riding against. The fact they are top of the league means it will probably be a bit harder."

Bizarrely, Dugard will have something to prove tomorrow. Since scoring 13 points at Oxford, Eastbourne's all-time record scorer has been hit by the biggest blip in a career spanning 17 years.

He fell in his last three races in the home defeat by Poole the next night and then the gremlins got into his equipment in three efforts at Coventry on Monday, where Eagles crashed to their heaviest defeat of the season.

"I've never fallen off three times in three races, had three no finishes on the trot or gone six races without scoring a point. That's novice stuff," he admitted.

Dugard says he was not surprised Eagles won at Oxford, which has been a fortress for the Cheetahs this year.

"We knew we could beat them, but I think they were stunned. I don't think they thought anyone would go there and beat them."

That result, coupled with Poole's win at Eastbourne and Oxford going down at Coventry, has blown the championship race wide open.

If Eagles repeat the act at Arlington tomorrow, that would really put the cat among the pigeons.

Dugard said: "I was out at the track on Tuesday sorting out the problems with my bikes, and I'll be up and running for the match against Oxford."

The last time Oxford won anything was back in 1989, when Dugard was part of the team which completed the double and included the legendary Hans Nielsen, Simon Wigg, Marvyn Cox, Andy Grahame and brother Paul Dugard.

His father Bob Dugard, co-promoter at Eastbourne and owner of Arlington Stadium, was also once the promoter at Oxford, but sentiment will take back stage tomorrow.

Last Saturday's clash with Poole attracted the biggest crowd of the season, and Eastbourne boss Jon Cook is expecting another bumper turnout for the visit of Oxford.

The match has been switched to the afternoon to avoid a collision with the Germany-England World Cup game on TV.

Eastbourne and Oxford drew 45-45 at Arlington earlier in the season, and another thriller is on the cards. Oxford's big gun is Grand Prix star Leigh Adams.

Cook said: "This will be all about us and how we perform after the defeat at Coventry. We don't owe anyone any favours, so Oxford had better watch out."

New world under-21 runner-up Lukas Dryml will be missing from the Cheetahs line-up after having an operation on his injured knee, but Cook believes that will help Oxford.

"I actually think they have been clever with their team selection because by using the rider replacement rule they will be able to give an extra ride to their top four men.

"I don't blame them for that. The league is there to be won, and the stakes are high. But we will be ready and waiting for them."

Edward Kennett will make his debut for Eastbourne Eaglets in their Southern Junior League match against Arena Essex after the main match.