Oxford boss Nigel Wagstaff believes it is getting harder to win at home, despite the Silver Machine notching up six straight wins at Sandy Lane this season.

And he has a point when you take into account the tactical joker rule when a team is eight points behind.

Most times this season when the joker has been used, it has meant six points for the winner.

Whether you like the rule or not, it's here for this year, and I am convinced it was brought in for televised meetings.

A 60-30 scoreline does nothing for the viewers, but now most meetings go right to the wire.

Speaking after Friday's win over Belle Vue, Wagstaff said: "When you look at the result, you realise how difficult it is to win at home.

"On a good night, we should be able to win easily, but you are always conscious of the fact that once you go eight points ahead, you leave yourself exposed to a possible 8-1 reverse through the tactical joker.

"Tactics come into the sport now. Do you go for maximum points all the time, or play it cagey by not going eight points clear, thus denying the opposition a joker."

Wagstaff defended his riders after they won heat 11 4-2, which gave Belle Vue the chance to bring in the joker.

He added: "We thought we could get a 5-1 there and Jonas Davidsson blamed himself for not pulling it off.

"However, despite Jason Crump and Tomasz Jedrzejak being outstanding for the Aces, we did win."

Meanwhile, Wagstaff has confirmed he made a bid to take Jedrzejak from Belle Vue during the winter.

He said: "I tried to put something in place which meant we could get him but it wasn't to be.

"Typically he was magnificent in scoring 17 at our place for Belle Vue!"

Oxford's main inspiration on the night was Travis McGowan, who bounced back after injury from the week before.

The Aussie said: "The little scare I had last week kicked me into gear."

In contrast, Greg Hancock, still not completely over his shoulder injury, said: "The track was a little bit grippy for me and with my shoulder still not right, it was harder to ride."

Hancock, who lines up in the first Grand Prix of the season in Stockholm on Saturday, added: "I'm thinking about the Grand Prix all right, but I focus week to week.

"I hope to be be stronger for Saturday, but I will just be taking it easy this week."

Hancock, a winner of the final two GP rounds last year, will be hoping to carry on where he left off.

Oxford Silver Machine are without a fixture tomorrow, but have a tough Elite League clash at Poole next Wednesday.