SHEFFIELD put up a brave showing but went down 49-44 at Newcastle in their League Cup tie on Sunday.
It was a dead rubber for the visitors who are already through to the semi-finals thanks to their brilliant efforts in the early stages of the season.
Jack Lee's side were badly depleted with Simon Stead, Ty Proctor, Andre Compton and Josh Bates absent.
They're set to welcome David Bellego back for Thursday's home clash with Glasgow as a replacement for Proctor and both Compton and Bates will return.
Sheffield made a positive start to the meeting with a 4-2 opening heat advantage, but as Newcastle gradually got dialled in, the hosts opened up a 12-point lead by heat eight.
Things got worse for the Tigers in heat nine when guest Rafal Konopka and reserve Arthur Sissis conceded a 5-1 to trail by 16-points.
But two great rides by Jason Garrity in heats 10 and 11 pulled the Tigers right back into contention.
He combined with Ashley Birks for a 5-1 before an intelligent move saw him team ride Grajczonek home for a tactical ride 8-1 maximum to reduce the deficit to just five-points.
Grajczonek proved a super guest once again with a tremendous 15+1 points haul from the No.1 position.
Sheffield co-promoter Damien Bates said: "All our concentration is geared towards Thursday against Glasgow - it's a massive meeting for us and we need to put this behind us and prepare for what could be the meeting of the season at Owlerton."
NEWCASTLE 49: Steve Worrall 17, Lewis Rose 9+1, Ludvig Lindgren 8+1, Christian Henry 6+3, Simon Nielsen 6+1, Lewis Kerr 3, Anton Rosen r/r.
SHEFFIELD 44: Josh Grajczonek 15+1, Jason Garrity 14+1, Ashley Birks 6+3, Rafal Konopka 4+1, Arthur Sissis 4+1, James Sarjeant 1, Ty Proctor r/r.
