Eastbourne Eagles face a massive task back at Arlington if they are to avoid early exit from the Knockout Cup.

Eages' weakened line-up, missing Nicki Pedersen, Steen Jensen and David Norris, crashed 56-37 at Peterborough Panthers in last night's first leg.

Norris, concussed at Swindon recently, made a late decision not to ride having been set to defy medical advice and compete.

Jensen, unwell, and Pedersen, on world championship duty, were also missing and Charlie Gjedde, brought in as a replacement, failed to impress.

Eagles boss Jon Cook said: "You can't afford to be missing your top riders although I was pleased with the Eastbourne boys we did have out there.

"They've given us half a chance but it's probably only that."

Eagles will wait until Monday before judging whether Norris can make the televised home clash with Ipswich. Jensen is likely to return.

They were punished last night by veteran Swede Peter Karlsson, unbeaten in five heats, and Czech brothers Ales and Lukas Dryml.

Ales Dryml won four of six and Lukas had a paid 13 points from five outings.

Adam Allott had an early win for Eagles but Panthers were 24-12 up when Eastbourne nominated Adam Shields for double points in the seventh heat.

Dean Barker won the race and Shields got up into second on the last corner to give Eagles seven points and halve the overall deficit.

Peterborough called an early interval and came back out of with wins for both Drymls.

Shields fell in the next race, the tenth, and, although he was unhurt, Karlsson led another Panthers 5-1.

Davey Watt revived Eagles with two wins, though the second saw Barker finish only third after being nominated for double points.

Karlson and Ales Dryml, though, responded by leading Peterborough to their fifth and sixth 5-1s. The return leg is at Arlington next Saturday.

Peterborough: Karlsson 15, A. Dryml 14, L. Dryml 10+3, Ermelenko 9+1, Bager 6+2, Armstrong 2.

Eagles: Watt 13+1, Shields 10, Barker 7, Gjedde 3, Allott 3, Moore 1.