SITTINGBOURNE Crusaders completed their Speedway Conference Shield campaign with two defeats to the top two sides in the division.

First up at the Old Gun Site on Saturday were Scunthorpe Scorpions, who arrived boasting a 100 per cent record in this year's competition.

And the Scorpions had a sting in the tail when it was revealed that Paul Cooper, Premier League rider and one-time World Long Track finalist, was making the journey to Kent to bolster their already star-studded line-up.

Cooper went through the card unbeaten as did the talented young Australian Tai Woffinden as Scunthorpe won the meeting 63-27.

Crusaders were hoping to fare better in the second of the day's double-header against the Buxton Hitmen. But it didn't work out like that as they went down 63-29.

The turning point came when visiting teenager, Jack Roberts, seemed to leave Andre Cross with nowhere to go as the two entered bend three of the first lap.

Cross's exclusion was harsh and he said: "I fell badly and really felt I was harshly ruled as responsible for the accident.

"What added insult to injury were the words the youngster shared with me after the incident. Anyone can forgive the exuberance of youth but it leaves a bitter taste when another rider shows so little respect to a fellow competitor who’s been injured."

Next up for the Crusaders is a visit to the Potteries to take on the Stoke Spitfires in a match rearranged for Wednesday, October 18.

Sittingbourne Crusaders 27 Scunthorpe Scorpions 63
Scorers: Cross 10; Felton 5; Cottham 4; Martin Elliott 3; L Blackbird 2; Dean Garrod 2; Karl White 1

Sittingbourne Crusaders 29 Buxton Hitmen 63
Scorers: Felton 13; Blake 7; Cottham 3; Aaron Baseby 3; Luke Goody 2; Garrod 1; Cross 0