JON Armstrong stormed back to top form for the Heathens at King’s Lynn on Wednesday… but he couldn’t prevent a 48-41 defeat.

The former Cradley club failed to take a point for the first time this season but they remain top of the National League.

Heathens went into the meeting without the in-form Kyle Newman who was called into the Elite League for Poole – and the added pressure on the other riders proved too much.

Inspirational skipper Armstrong was at his brilliant best with a 16+1 haul from six outings and was only beaten in the last race.

But there was a lack of consistency from the rest of the side who found the meeting one step too far after a gruelling schedule of four matches in six days.

The Norfolk side secured victory on the night with a shared 3-3 in the penultimate race but Heathens still had a chance of pinching a point.

But Kyle Hughes won the decisive Heat 15 to frustrate the Heathens and their loyal band of followers.

Boss Will Pottinger said: “I was particularly pleased to see Armo back on form, he was awesome for us tonight.

“It’s a shame we couldn’t take a point from the meeting but I think anyone with any knowledge of the sport will admit we would have got something out of it if we had Kyle with us.

“Darryl (Ritchings) also gave a positive display on his first visit to the track and Tom (Perry) looked more like the rider we know he can be. We have to take the positives from the performances of the young riders and hope we can get something at the Isle of Wight next Tuesday when we will be back to full strength.”

HEATHENS: Jon Armstrong 16+1, Ashley Morris 8+1, Tom Perry 7+1, Darryl Ritchings 7+1, Richard Franklin 2, Danny Stoneman 1+1, Kyle Newman R/R.