Eastbourne boss Trevor Geer admitted it took his men far too long to get going as they slumped at Lakeside Hammers last night.

Eagles completed their away fixtures for the Elite League season with a dismal 55-37 defeat in Essex.

They now chase home wins over Coventry on Monday and Ipswich on September 19 to secure safety.

Geer said: “It took half the meeting to get going. The track was ultra slick and each rider seemed to take a couple of races to get things sorted out.”

Paul Hurry, riding as guest for injured Daniel Nermark, was the one exception to that back at his old circuit, claiming four of Eagles’ five heat wins on his way to 14 points.

Davey Watt was the only other Eagle to take a chequered flag, when going for double points.

Watt led an 8-1 with Cameron Woodward in heat 11. Woodward later had a 5-1 with Hurry but the contest was long since over.

Kauko Nieminen went unbeaten for the hosts.

Lakeside: Davidsson 13 (5), Nieminen 11+4 (5), Kylmakorpi 8+1 (4), Robson 8 (4), Shields 7+2 (4), Richardson 7+1 (4), Silver 1+1 (4).

Eagles: Hurry 14 (6), Woodward 9+2 (6), Watt 9 (4)^, Bridger 4+1 (6)^, Dryml 2 (4), Kling 0 (4), Gustafsson r/r.