Trevor Geer has shrugged off criticism of his team's narrow win over Swindon and backed them to follow it up with success on the road.

Eastbourne Eagles chase a second away victory of the season when they go to injury-hit Belle Vue Aces in the Elite League on Wednesday (8pm).

They head north with confidence restored by Saturday's thrilling 46-44 win over the Robins, when they overcame the absence of both first-choice reserves to defeat the league leaders in a dramatic last-heat decider.

Simon Gustfasson returns to the side on Wednesday and will partner Brent Werner at reserve in the continuing absence of the injured James Brundle.

Top scorer Scott Nicholls was first to voice reservations about Eastbourne's latest win, admitting he had expected to beat Swindon more convincingly.

Robins manager Alun Rossiter, known throughout speedway as Roscoe, developed that theme when interviewed on Sky Sports on Monday as he watched his team lose at Poole.

Geer, though, feels his top five should be given plenty of credit for their efforts in what some very experienced Arlington regulars agreed was one of the best meetings at the track for years.

The Eagles team manager said: "Saturday was fantastic. The boys gave 110 per cent and proved what they can do.

"Roscoe was saying on TV about how they came so close at our place but you have to remember we had no reserves.

"It was obvious before the meeting that we wouldn't score at reserve.

"It was great to get the result and, now we don't have bonus points, it doesn't really matter how many you win by.

"Now we're going to Belle Vue back more or less to full strength and hopefully everyone is feeling a bit more confident after the weekend.

"I think most of our lads ride Belle Vue well.

"The straights are longer than at our place but we should go well around there. If we don't get a result I will be very disappointed."

Although guest Nick Simmons battled hard on Saturday, his two points came against fellow reserve Werner and as a gift when Travis McGowan fell.

Werner, meanwhile, never looked like scoring in four rides and, although the management are not saying too much about their designated No. 8, his efforts as stand-in for Brundle so far must have come as a big disappointment.

Late call-up Andrew Bargh also struggled when Eagles lost at Swindon last week.

Geer added: "You never know with Brent. He could pop up with something somewhere along the line.

"But when you see these others ride it makes you realise how well James has been doing.

"He was in the same class as some of the guests we have brought in, and not even as good as some of them last year, but he has really stepped up a gear.

"He has gone out and won the odd race, he has scored some useful points and even when he hasn't, at least he has been mixing it with them."

Coventry are the lastest Elite League team to score an away win after surviving a last-heat decider at Wolves on Monday.

Eagles have lost their last five on the road but will be confident of ending that run tonight.

Belle Vue will operate rider-replacement for Billy Forsberg, who has a broken thumb, and promote No. 8 Robert Kseziak to reserve in place of Steve Boxall, who is awaiting a shoulder operation.

They have named Redcar's promising young Aussie Ty Proctor at No. 8, effectively giving them three reserves, all of whom will take one of Forsberg's rides.

Lukasz Jankowski, who has only just come back from a shoulder injury, can also take an extra ride.

Aces have already lost at home to Swindon and been pushed close by Poole and Lakeside.

Eagles skipper Lee Richardson was in sparkling form in Sweden on Tuesday evening, completing a paid maximum 13+2 (5) to help Elit Vetlanda beat Piraterna 54-42.

Nicholls scored 7+3 (4) as his Hammarby side won 54-42 at home to Lejonen. Nicki Pedersen was the only opponent to beat him.

Belle Vue: Crump, Forsberg rider-replacement, Gjedde, Jankowski, Screen, Kseziak, Rajkowski, Proctor.

Eagles: Nicholls, Bridger, Richardson, Woodward, Kennett, Gustafsson, Werner.