SHEFFIELD boss Simon Stead described Thursday’s 52-38 home loss to Lakeside as the most disappointing result of his managerial career.

In a rare Owlerton defeat, the Tigers threw away a ten-point lead in what can only be described as a total collapse for the steel city side.

Despite a heavy downpour just before start time, Sheffield looked in control with six races gone.

But the Hammers began to get the better of the hosts away from the tapes with gating imperative and the visitors registered eight heat advantages in the final nine races.

“First and foremost all I can do right now is apologise to our fans who paid good money to come and watch us tonight,” Stead said.

“It wasn’t good enough and if I’m being honest I think they were more up for it than we were.

“Yes track conditions weren’t ideal, but I’m not accepting that as an excuse for that kind of performance.

“People will say the rain suited the away team more and it was a leveller - but we should still be good enough on our home track to beat anybody here at Owlerton.

“We held a ten point lead at one point and still lost by 14 and that’s just an embarrassment.

“That’s the most disappointing result of my managerial career so far and I hope the team go home and have a good, long, hard look at themselves because that makes tomorrow’s meeting even more important.”

The Tigers travel to rivals Scunthorpe on Friday (July 27, 7.30) - a full meeting preview will be issued on the morning of the fixture.

SHEFFIELD 38: Kyle Howarth 10, Charles Wright 9, Lasse Bjerre 6+1, James Shanes 6+1, Todd Kurtz 3+1, Broc Nicol 3+1, Georgie Wood 1+1.

LAKESIDE: 52: Adam Ellis 13+2, Richard Lawson 11, Nick Morris 8+3, Ben Morley 6, Kyle Newman 5, Zach Wajtknecht 5, Alfie Bowtell 4.