A last heat engine failure for David Norris cost Eastbourne a chance of a bonus point as they crashed to defeat in their Sky Sports Elite League clash at Oxford Stadium last night.

The loss of Adam Shields proved to be a burden too far as, although Oxford were also hit by the absence of the injured Ales Dryml and Davey Watt, they covered so much better and ran out worthy winners on the night.

Nicki Pedersen was again outstanding for the Eagles with good support from Norris and Dean Barker but it was a torrid night for both Lewis Bridger and Cameron Woodward Oxford were forced to go into the meeting without the services of guest Jason Lyons when it was discovered by the BSPA that his average was fractionally too high to cover for Watt.

New No 8 Stan Burza was on hand to step in with a superb display on his first look at the Cowley track. The Eagles had to use rider-replacement for the injured Shields Edward Kennett and Norris wiped the floor with a slow gating Todd Wiltshire iin heat one but Eric Andersson and Lubos Tomicek were equally dismissive with the Eagles reserves.

We then saw the best of David Howe as he teamed up with Adam Skornicki with a superb effort, Howe taking Dean Barker for another maximum.

Wiltshire again was slow away in heat six as Nicki Pedersen ruled supreme. The Dane also took a re-run heat nine but later lost his unbeaten record to Wiltshire.

Despite that, Cheetahs gradually built a ten-point lead and Wiltshire beat Norris when the Eagles man went for double poiints.

Eagles were still it for the bonus in heat 15, trailing by three points overall. Pedersen led and Norris skated past Skornicki but then Norris came to an abrupt halt and Cheetahs were home and dry.