Eastbourne Eagles last night went the way of every other visiting team to Poole this season.

The double-chasing Sussex squad lost their Elite League match 47-44 to the Pirates, who are unbeaten in ten Elite League matches on their own track.

Even a spectacular gamble in the penultimate race could not save the Eagles.

Skipper Joe Screen and David Norris were brought in as tactical substitutes, with Screen riding as a golden tactical, starting 15m behind the other riders but on double points.

If Screen had won, with Norris second, Eagles would have taken the heat 8-1.