COVENTRY'S long wait for a win in 2010 goes on after they were beaten at Arlington on Saturday - and narrowly missed out on taking a consolation point.
The Buildbase Bees required a 5-1 from the last race to narrow the deficit to six points on the night, which would at least have got them on the board in the Elite League this season.
The signs were initially promising as Edward Kennett and Rory Schlein made good starts - but Schlein hit trouble and was swamped by first Joonas Kylmakorpi and then Cameron Woodward as the Eagles took a maximum return from the meeting.
It was tough on Schlein who was very much part of a battling effort from all of the top four but, in a reverse from Friday's home defeat at Belle Vue, it was at reserve where Bees struggled for points, a problem exacerbated by having to use rider-replacement for the fifth member of their top five - a handicap the management are desperate to address as soon as they can.
Bees dropped six points down after Heat 4 only to battle back to level the scores thanks to a Schlein/Ben Barker 5-1 in Heat 7.
There was a nasty moment when Kennett collided with his team-mate Josh Auty in Heat 9 and there was concern as Kennett spent some time on the ground - but fortunately he was able to continue and take his last two rides, winning both.
Eagles went into an eight point lead which Bees briefly trimmed to six with a 4-2 in Heat 13, but a 5-1 to the home side in the penultimate race eventually proved to be enough for them.
Bees boss Alun Rossiter said: "The middle order and the top order did their jobs tonight, but unfortunately we really missed Richard (Sweetman) after his performance on Friday. We could have done with him, but he wasn't available.
"It's the inconsistency which is frustrating, and you've got to have the reserves going when you're using rider replacement for a second-string.
"We are working and working, and hopefully I'm close to making a signing. I've been let down before this season but if I can get it confirmed I will announce it on Monday."
