Mads Korneliussen stormed to a brilliant 15-point maximum at former employers Swindon last night but King's Lynn still came home empty-handed.

The Dane was in stunning form as he ripped round the boards time after time, but ultimately a weak display lower down cost the visitors in an entertaining Elite League clash.

Niels Kristian Iversen and Daniel Nermark got the Stars off and running as they benefited from a slow start from Swindon number one Troy Batchelor.

But Swindon hit back immediately with a 4-2 of their own, Peter Kildemand hauling in David Howe with ease after the visiting rider jumped out first at the start.

Korneliussen won his first race at his old stomping ground next as the honours were shared, only for another Swindon old boy, Maciej Janowski, to limp to third against maximum-getters Kildemand and Hans Andersen.

Nermark pulled out an unexpected stormer in heat five, leaving Simon Stead and Iversen trailing in his wake, only for the hosts to grab a 4-2 straight back as Janowski just failed to overhaul home number two Nick Morris late on.

A ripping ride from Korneliussen gave King's Lynn a 3-3 draw as Andersen trailed and Rob Lyon's men were a creditable 23-19 down after seven heats.

Howe then crashed on a slippy bend two, and his exclusion helped Swindon gain a 5-1 maximum on the re-run, courtesy of Morris and Kildemand.

A further 4-2 from the Robins in heat nine prompted team boss Lyon to bring out the tactical ride, and Korneliussen did not let his manager down as he led from the gate with his third brilliant ride of the night, bringing the Stars to within seven.

However, that was as good as it was to get for the visitors. They were unlucky in heat 11 when Iversen locked up and Nermark crashed with no one near him, although Korneliussen then continued his one-man mission with another win.

The points were shared in heat 13 before an out-of-sorts Kevin Wolbert and Howe were on the receiving end of a 5-1 in the penultimate race.

Although Lynn bagged their first maximum of the evening in the final showdown – strangely without Korneliussen – it was not enough.

Stars have another chance to get their season up and running tonight with another away league fixture – this time at Coventry (7.45pm start).

Swindon Robins: Troy Batchelor 2+1, Nick Morris10, Simon Stead9, Jason Doyle 5+1, Hans Andersen 11+1, Robin Aspegren 3+1, Peter Kildemand 10+2.

King's Lynn Stars: Niels Kristian Iversen 9+2, Daniel Nermark 5, Mads Korneliussen 15, Kevin Wolbert 0, Maciej Janowski 10, David Howe 4, Michael Palm-Toft 0.