Chris Louis was Ipswich's top scorer with paid 12 points

Ipswich Witches team manager Pete Simmons was furious after his side blew a 10-point lead after four heats to lose 50-43 to Swindon on Monday.

The Witches contributed to their own downfall with two tape exclusions and four falls in the Elite League meeting.

Simmons said: "There are no excuses, the track was the same for both teams.

"I don't know what's gone wrong. We get wins and points early on, but as soon as we turn the page in the programme half of them seem to go home."

Leigh Adams was Swindon's key man with 17 points.

Adams was beaten in heat one by Robert Miskoviak as Ipswich started well and followed up with three heat wins to go 10 in front.

INDIVIDUAL SCORES Miskowiak - 7+1 Swiderski - 2+1 Louis - 11+1 Johnston - 4+1 Hampel - 10 Schramm - 2 Kroner - 7+1

Swindon manager Alun Rossiter immediately threw Adams in for double points as early as heat five and it paid off as he reduced the deficit to seven.

Four drawn heats followed, before Swindon struck with a 5-1 in Heat 10 as Miskoviak fell.

The same fate befell Tobi Kroner in the next and the Witches' lead was just one.

Next there were two more drawn heats, but Steve Johnston got in trouble on the first bend in the penultimate heat and the Robins had a three-point lead going into the last race.

Adams and Mads Korneliussen raced to another maximum to secure the two Elite League points.

Simmons added: "We threw away a 10-point lead and I can't believe that.

"One or two riders are not performing to what we expect and through falls and excusions we got ourselves into trouble."

Ipswich are considering a protest over Swindon's use of guest Joel Parsons, who scored paid 11 points, claiming his average is too high.