DUDLEY Heathens suffered a night to forget at the Eddie Wright Raceway as they were well beaten by the powerful Scunthorpe Saints.

Heathens got off to the worst possible start with the home side dropping just one point in the first seven races, leaving the scoreline at a mountainous 34-7, and by that stage Adam Roynon had been ruled out of the meeting still suffering from his leg injury.

With more Scunthorpe advantages following, the score advanced to 48-11 before Heathens, to their credit, managed to stem the tide.

And the most encouraging factor was the performance of the recalled Danny Stoneman at reserve, who was competitive throughout and gained a thoroughly deserved race win in Heat 14 as part of a 5-1 with Ashley Morris.

That, however, was the Heathens’ only win of the night as they had no real answer to either Ashley Birks or Steve Worrall, both of whom rode to six-ride maximums for the home side.

Will Pottinger’s men will be hoping for much better when they travel to another of the league’s strongest sides, Stoke, on Saturday.

SCUNTHORPE 63: Ashley Birks 18, Steve Worrall 16+2, Stefan Nielsen 11+1, Richie Worrall 7+2, Lee Smethills 6+2, Adam Wrathall 5+2, Gary Irving R/R.

DUDLEY 28: Danny Stoneman 10+1, Jon Armstrong 9, Tom Perry 4, Ashley Morris 3+1, Darryl Ritchings 1+1, Richard Franklin 1+1, Adam Roynon 0.