SHEFFIELD remain on the lookout for their first away victory of the season after their injury-hit side suffered a narrow 53-42 defeat at Rye House.

Despite being without Simon Stead, Richard Hall, Damien Koppe and Joe Haines, the patched up Window Centre Tigers put in a valiant display to keep their chances alive until heat 15.

And although they fell just short of an unlikely point, co-promoter David Hoggart was proud of his sides' performance.

He said: "It was a cracking meeting and considering we had a patched up side I thought we did very well.

"To be in with a chance of a point even going into the last heat was a pretty good achievement to be honest.

"We made a slow start, but we fought very hard to get back into the meeting and it's just a shame we couldn't quite take a point at the end."

Former favourite Josh Auty top scored for the visitors as he made a guest appearance at No.1 - notching a priceless tactical ride win in his third outing as Sheffield fought back from an 18-point deficit.

American ace Ricky Wells returned from World Cup duty to score 12+1 including two vital wins in the closing stages to keep their hopes of a point alive.

Meanwhile, guesting duo Andre Compton and James Sarjeant both stepped in with solid performances, whilst exciting Argentinian Facundo Albin also put in a strong display at reserve.

Yet Sheffield felt the absence of third heat-leader Richard Hall as they provided only five race winners on the night.

RYE HOUSE 53: Tyson Nelson 12+2, Anders Mellgren 11+2, Jason Bunyan 11, Pontus Aspgren 7+1, Kasper Lykke 6, Nicolai Klindt 4+1, Ben Morley 2+1.

SHEFFIELD 42: Josh Auty 13, Ricky Wells 12+1, Facundo Albin 6+1, Andre Compton 5+1, James Sarjeant 5+1, Adam Roynon 1, Richard Hall r/r.