Smart's engine failure in heat 15 cost the Heathens victory

Dudley suffered an agonising 46-44 defeat against Mildenhall in their latest National League encounter.

The Heathens had come from six points down to tie the meeting up at 42-42 going into the final heat.

But skipper Lee Smart suffered an engine failure that handed the heat victory to the Fen Tigers' leading scorer Barrie Evans.

Smart had been victorious in all four of his previous rides on his way to 12 points, Jake Anderson adding 10.

"I had a word with the boys during the interval and we went really close - I feel gutted," said Heathens boss Will Pottinger.

We will work on the areas we need to improve, particularly gating Heathens boss Will Pottinger

"We had some bad luck and threw some points away, but to pull level with one race to go I thought we had saved the match.

"We will stay positive and work on the areas we need to improve, particularly our gating."

Dudley's top scorers were backed up by Richard Franklin (eight) and Tom Perry (seven), while Evans chalked up 12 for Mildenhall and Jerran Hart 11.

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