A DEPLETED Coventry Storm side fell just short of another National League point as they went down 41-48 at Kent on Monday.
Missing skipper Luke Crang and reserve Conor Dwyer due to injuries, the Storm were always going to be up against it at Central Park.
But another outstanding display from stand-in captain Dan Greenwood almost enabled them to add to their league total.
Greenwood won five of his six rides, dropping his only point when he was penalised for touching the tapes in Heat 15. often charging through from behind past some acknowledged track experts, and he also retained the Bronze Helmet in a match race with the Kings’ top-scorer Danny Ayres.
Rider replacement for Crang did account for nine points, but Dwyer was sorely missed at reserve although debutant Jamie Halder did take an excellent win in Heat 2.
“It was a good performance really and we were unlucky not to get something, but we really missed Conor,” said Storm boss Laurence Rogers.
“Rider replacement worked well for us with nine points, but we had two tapes exclusions, a plug lead go for Marty (Knuckey), and a couple of falls as well.
“It was good for Jamie to start with a win in his first ride, it was another fantastic performance from Dan, and the referee got the decisions absolutely right. It’s so close but so far, but we’re still up there and we’ll bounce back.”
