Trevor Geer has praised the key role played by his reserves after another Eastbourne Eagles away win.

Eagles overcame Belle Vue 48-42 in Manchester on Wednesday to move to within a point of Elite League leaders Swindon, helped by a combined 13 points from Simon Gustafsson and Brent Werner.

Gustafsson made a welcome return to the side with 7+1 (6) and Werner bounced back from some poor recent displays to add 6+1 (3).

Werner's figures would have looked even better had he not been replaced by Gustafsson after touching the tapes at the start of what should have been his third race.

Geer admitted he was delighted but a bit surprised by the American's sudden return to form. The Eagles team boss said: "I thought he might get one or two points for us but he was going really well.

"I think he was so disappointed with the way he had been performing at Eastbourne.

"He changed a few things on his engine set-up and clutch and he was flying.

"He had a win and a paid win, then he touched the tapes in what looked an easy race for him. But I have to say the reserves were our matchwinners."

Gustafsson, who turns 18 later this month, has impressed lots of observers around the Elite League. He ended Charlie Gjedde's unbeaten record in Wednesday's match.

Geer said: "Simon didn't start the meeting that well but then he went out and beat Gjedde, who had looked unbeatable."

Aces were hit by injuries and, despite the presence of Jason Crump in their line-up, Geer admitted the meeting was one Eagles had to win if they had serious play-off ambitions.

Lee Richardson is due to have an X-ray on the damaged right wrist which curtailed his contribution to Eagles' second away win of the season.

Richardson suffered the injury when falling in Poland last Thursday, though initially his left hand was causing more concern.

He rode with the wrist heavily strapped against Swindon and then had a five-race paid maximum in Sweden on Tuesday.

The injury affected him at Belle Vue, however, and he pulled out of his last ride after struggling home last in his third race.

Richardson now has four days of rest. Eastbourne return to action at home to Poole on Monday and there is no Polish League action this weekend.