OXFORD boss Steve Purchase was not a happy man after Cheetahs' 47-43 Elite League defeat against Coventry Bees.

Purchase reckoned they should have done a lot better on the back of the victories against Eastbourne and Wolverhampton.

"Sadly, it was not to be," he said. "In my view, it was a very disappointing performance.

"Of course, we missed Johno (Steve Johnson), who's been our inspirational third heat leader and captain this year.

"But with Brian Andersen clicking into gear much earlier than I could have reasonably expected, we could, and should have won.

"Brian did everything expected of him and yet the team as a whole didn't click. Ales and Lukas Dryml were very disappointing, while Todd Wiltshire and Jimmy Nilsen were below what I expect of them.

"Although we had good racing, a very good crowd went home entertained, but disappointed.

"We will just have to make amends this week because time is running out to get those points on the board."

The Coventry reverse was the eight in a row for Cheetahs against the Bees.

One thing that will have encouraged Purchase over the last two weeks has been the attendances.

The crowds have been the best for the last two years and with Peterborough the visitors to Sandy Lane tomorrow, it could be another good one.

If anyone deserves some reward, it is the Oxford boss. He has piled money into the Cheetahs coffers hand over fist over the last three years, and it would be nice if he could come out of this campaign with some success.