STEWART Dickson admitted he was left wanting more as his Glasgow side came agonisingly close to a huge upset at Sheffield tonight.
But he hailed the performance of his riders – who have now taken at least a point in 10 out of 10 matches this season to keep up their challenge at the top of the SGB Championship.
Following a tight opening 10 heats, the Tigers manager saw his side edge into the lead in heat 11, when Dan Bewley and Richie Worrall joined forces for a 5-1.
But they were pegged back in heat 13 when the imperious Josh Grajczonek and team-mate Kyle Howarth got the better of the visiting duo to go back in front.
Nike Lunna ensured the Tigers would leave with something when he won heat 14 on his return to action, but Richard Lawson and Aaron Summers couldn’t get ahead of unbeaten Grajczonek in the final race – and had to settle for a 46-44 defeat.
Glasgow take a consolation point for losing by less than seven, and move on to face Peterborough at home on Saturday.
Dickson said: “We had a wee bit of misfortune with Dan Bewley touching the tapes in heat one, and Richie Worrall saying that the green light didn’t go off – so he didn’t get moving off the start in that race.
“Then in heat 13 he got dirt in the carburettor after he’d made a blistering start off gate two.
“But they had it as well with Josh Bates, whose bike chucked it when he was in a scoring position.
“When you get that close it’s tough. If you get 42, you’re happy with the point, but when you get so close at 46-44 there is a touch of wanting a wee bit more – and that’s always the case.
“It was an encouraging performance from all the boys. Dan had a decent night with 6+1 given he never got out in heat one, and Nike got six points on his comeback – which is pleasing.
“And I know Jack Smith only got a point, but it was pleasing to see he managed to beat his opposite number in heat four.”
Glasgow are the only team in the league to take something at Sheffield, and the only side to secure points in every one of their matches.
Dickson’s mind is now focused on ensuring they keep that up against the Panthers on Saturday.
He said: “It’s a point on the road everywhere and that’s us been to Edinburgh, Ipswich and Sheffield – who are a lot of people’s tips for the top four.
“It’s all about points building and that’s now 10 in a row where we’ve taken something.
“The key, just like two weekends ago, is to make sure we get all three points on Saturday night – which would round off another decent week for us.
“They have got their full complement of riders now and I think they’ll give us a match.
“The likes of Ulrich Ostergaard, Kenneth Hansen and Jack Holder can go well at our place and will pose a challenge.”
Tigers scorers: Richard Lawson 11, Aaron Summers 10+2, Dan Bewley 6+1, Tom Perry 6+1, Nike Lunna 6, Richie Worrall 4, Jack Smith 1.