NEIL Middleditch has hit back at Alun Rossiter after Swindon's boss had labelled Poole's big home win over his side a "lottery".

Rossiter claimed gates two and four "were nothing short of a disgrace" following Robins' 54-39 reverse at Wimborne Road in midweek.

The former Pirates skipper went on to emphasis that was the main reason why his side had lost by 15 points in the Craven Shield encounter.

Swindon captain Leigh Adams added: "It was a bit of a lottery because one and three were so much better than anything else it was just ridiculous."

Adams continued: "We (Swindon) will crush them in the return at Blunsdon."

But the world number two and Rossiter were left with egg on their faces after Swindon only sneaked a 46-44 triumph in a last-heat decider while Poole Castle Cover booked their place in the knockout stages of the competition.

Middleditch, who is Pirates' team manager, said: "If they used the term lottery, it means the situation is the same for everyone.

"We had two and four as many times as Swindon did, so everyone had the same chance of winning. There were no favourites for the home side. It was just the way it worked out."

Poole riders went off gates two and four seven times in the opening 14 heats, the same number as Swindon's men.

Middleditch said: "Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, but you can't go blaming gates for losing a meeting.

"Okay he (Rossiter) lost the toss for gate positions in heat 15 when we got a 4-2 out of it from one and three. But it was the only race when we didn't know which positions we would be riding out of."

Asked if it was a case of sour grapes, after Swindon had thrown away a 14-10 lead, Middleditch said: "It could be a bit like that, but Alun is entitled to his opinion.

"I agree gates two and four weren't the best gates, but it was a completely level playing field.

"Oh, and by the way, we were far from crushed at Swindon."

Middleditch stressed his remarks were not a personal attack on Rossiter, who he has always got on very well with.

Poole's boss also realises Rossiter is a very emotional team manager, who always wears his heart on his sleeve.

Rossiter had told the Swindon Advertiser: "I'm really disappointed because the whole night turned into a lottery because gates two and four were that bad.

"By the end we were just trying to carry out damage limitation and it's a shame it had to be like that.

"The reaction of their manager when they won the toss for the last heat showed the importance of the gates.

"Normally the gates are quite even here. I'm not making excuses but the night really was turned into a lottery."