KING’S Lynn’s slim play-off chances were ended with a 51-39 defeat to Sheffield on a sombre night at the Adrian Flux Arena.

With riders and spectators already present when the Queen’s passing was announced, the meeting went ahead following discussions with the sport’s authorities.

A two-minute silence was observed both at Lynn and prior to the Ipswich v Peterborough fixture at Foxhall.

The Stars needed a perfect record over their remaining fixtures to retain hopes of a top four finish, but it was the visitors who dominated proceedings.

Sheffield No.1 Tobiasz Musielak and reserve Justin Sedgmen both won three races, and it was somehow inevitable that former favourite Lewis Kerr would return with two wins.

For the Stars, the absence of the injured Frederik Jakobsen was a huge blow as they were heavily outscored at reserve with Sedgmen and former Lynn man Connor Mountain both enjoying good nights.

Two 5-1s from Nicolai Klindt and Thomas Jorgensen kept the hosts in the frame early on, and they were just two points down after Heat 6.

But the Tigers then took full control with a pair of 4-2s and then a shock 5-1 from Sedgmen and Jack Holder over Klindt and skipper Josh Pickering in Heat 9.

From there it was virtually game over as the Tigers pushed on to secure a maximum of four league points to boost their chances of finishing top of the table.

The Stars will hope to get Jakobsen back as soon as possible and that a full-strength side will offer a stronger challenge to Sheffield when the teams meet again later in the season in the League Cup Final.

KING’S LYNN 39: Richard Lawson 12, Nicolai Klindt 11, Thomas Jorgensen 8+3, Josh Pickering 3, Jonas Knudsen 3, Richie Worrall 2, Jack Thomas 0.
SHEFFIELD 51: Tobiasz Musielak 12, Justin Sedgmen 10, Adam Ellis 8+1, Jack Holder 8+1, Lewis Kerr 8, Connor Mountain 5+2, Kyle Howarth r/r.