Bob Dugard insists his season back at the helm has lived up to all expectations, despite Eastbourne's faltering title bid.

Eagles are fighting against the odds for the fourth and last play-off spot in the Elite League after winning just one of their last ten away meetings.

That is not quite what was expected when the season started or even before that when Dugard and co-promoter Martrin Hagon sat alongside star signings Scott Nicholls and Lee Richardson at a packed pre-season fans forum.

There was no doubt then that the league title and an unbeaten home record were very much in the club's sights.

Asked this week if he was disappointed how things had unfolded so far, Dugard said: "No, I've been pleased but I feel we have been a bit unlucky.

"We could have had a couple more away wins and that would have put us right up there. The one which sticks out in the memory is when we were winning by ten at Lakeside and let it slip away. We should have won at Belle Vue as well.

"The season has lived up to my expectations apart from those silly slip-ups. Some of it has been beyond our control, because of international fixtures. To lose a rider like Simon Gustafsson to an international event hurts us. He is not a heat leader but he scores some crucial points.

"We have lost four or six points and had to bring in a rider who has scored nothing. That makes a big difference."

Dugard was in the shadows in recent seasons, looked upon largely as the man on the tractor as Jon Cook and Bob Brimson enjoyed high-profile roles.

The veteran promoter has been more prominent after stepping in with Hagon last winter to ensure the club remained in the Elite League.

Dugard said: "Martin and I are equal partners and I've enjoyed it. Martin is very involved in the junior side of things, which is good.

"I haven't really got the time for that, and remember I've just turned 66. The improvement with the juniors and in the second half is totally down to Martin Hagon and my son Martin and their enthusiasm.

"Martin (Hagon) went to Rye House to support our youngsters on Saturday rather than watch the World Cup on television.

"That is his enthusiasm and it will pay dividends, though not for probably four or five years."

If Eagles are underdogs for the league, they must have a decent chance in the Knockout Cup.

The Sussex side clash with rivals Lakeside in the semis while Poole will be expected to see off Coventry in the the other tie.

It now seems the home leg against the Hammers will, as first advertised, take place on Saturday, August 9.

Both teams had looked to switch the match to another date due to the final of the Swedish Championship on the same day.

Four hours of telephone conversations between the clubs failed to come up with a solution.

Dugard said: "I think we have a real shout in the Knockout Cup. We have got to run on August 9. It's the only one we can do, although we have no real adequate replacement for Simon Gustafsson.

"Lakeside will be without Andreas Jonsson and Jonas Davidsson but I would say they would suffer less than us. Eastbourne is not Jonsson's favourite track and they could use Leigh Adams or whoever as guest."