Eastbourne fear Richard Andrews broke a thumb as they lost a thriller today.

Andrews is due to undergo an X-ray on the injury suffered on the race to the very first corner of their 46-43 defeat at Mildenhall in the National League.

Eagles battled hard with six men but saw a five-point lead with five races to go overturned.

They trailed by a point going into heat 15 former Eastbourne reserve Danny Halsey beat Bradley Wilson-Dean to lead a home 4-2.

Andrews is now a major doubt for the Knockout Cup tie at Birmingham on Wednesday.

Team boss Glenn Martin said: “Richie suffered a badly damaged thumb and it is one he has broken before.

“It swelled up straight away and he couldn’t move it but we won’t know what the damage is for sure until he has an X-ray.”

Martin was disappointed with defeat but said: “There was some brilliant racing.”

Mildenhall: Kingston 10 (6), Coles 9 (4), Halsey 9 (5), Mountain 6+2 (4), Ruddick 6 (5), Bacon 6 (6).

Eagles: Wilson-Dean 12 (5), Wood 11+1 (7), Owen 9 (5), Mason 5+2 (4), Bates 4+2 (4), Dugard 2+1 (f), Andrews 0 (0).