PETERBOROUGH suffered a heavy away defeat for the third successive night – and the fourth time in a week - when being well beaten by play-off rivals Scunthorpe on Friday.
A fine performance from skipper Ulrich Ostergaard was not enough to keep a weakened ‘TC Harrison’ Panthers side in contention at the Eddie Wright Raceway.
Ostergaard racked up a 16-point haul boosted by a successful tactical ride, but it was a case of the same old story as Peterborough had too many riders failing to score consistent points.
The captain delivered all three Panthers heat victories, but the most telling statistic was the away team being responsible for 11 last places or retirements.
Team boss Carl Johnson admitted: “Ulrich had a very good night but once again we found ourselves in the position of carrying far too many passengers.
“I certainly think we would have got a lot closer if Lasse Bjerre and Ales Dryml had been available, but there is no denying the fact that our away performances have been nowhere near good enough in the past week.
“Every bad result is making it that bit harder for us to get ourselves up into the play-offs.”
Guest number one Stuart Robson provided the strongest support to Ostergaard with 8+1 although he could only finish third, behind partner Adam Roynon, when taking a tactical ride in heat 11.
Panthers’ fate was sealed in the next race when a 5-1 from Ryan Douglas and Ashley Birks over the struggling duo of Max Dilger and Richard Hall also ended any hopes of picking up a consolation league point.
Former Panthers man David Howe was the star home rider with a 14+1 point paid maximum as Scunthorpe clinched a spot in the play-offs.
That leaves only one top-six slot up for grabs with Panthers being one of four teams in the hunt along with Newcastle, Redcar and Workington.
They travel to Newcastle when returning to action tomorrow (Sunday, 6.30pm).
SCORES
SCUNTHORPE: David Howe 14+1, Josh Auty 9+2, Ashley Birks 9+2, Ryan Douglas 9, Nicolai Klindt 8+2, Thomas Jorgensen 8+1, Tom Perry 1.
‘TC HARRISON’ PANTHERS: Ulrich Ostergaard 16, Stuart Robson 8+1 (guest), Adam Roynon 4, Richard Hall 4, Max Dilger 2+1, Nicki Barrett 2, Rider replacement for Ales Dryml.
* PETERBOROUGH number one Lasse Bjerre scored six points in the Danish Under 21 Final last night.
He finished 12th in a meeting won by Mikkel Bech and will return to Panthers duty at Newcastle tomorrow.