Stars boss Rob Lyon admitted his side were given a gating masterclass by Lakeside Hammers on Wednesday after King's Lynn slipped to a disappointing 49-43 home defeat.

Norfolk Arena chiefs were hoping to see their charges pick up a third consecutive Elite League victory but were left dismayed as Lynn produced a sloppy display.

After seeing his team lose their second Saddlebow Road meeting out of four this season, Lyon conceded the better side won on the night.

Lyon said: 'I was bitterly disappointed. I expected us to win, and get a comfortable victory by 10-15 points if I'm honest.

'Fair play to Lakeside though. They came and took the fight to us and gave us a lesson in gating. That was the main difference. We were the makers of our own downfall. We carried too many passengers and you can't afford to do that at this level.'

In-form number one Niels-Kristian Iversen scored an unbeaten 14 but the Hammers' ex-Lynn rider Davey Watt stole the show with a fine 15, paid 17.

However, Lyon insisted it was the points collected by Kim Nilsson (11+3) and Stuart Robson (7+1) which really hurt his team most on the night.

He said: 'We didn't get hammered, we lost by six, but it was a bit of a shock. 'With all due respect to Kim and Stuart they're not the sort of riders who should come and turn your own boys over like that. Fair play to them. They had a go and reaped the rewards.

'Davey was outstanding and he's on the gas at the moment. But Stuart and Kim did a lot of damage and they were the difference.'

Lynn will hope to bounce back with a victory against Birmingham on Wednesday.