Workington Comets must build on their dramatic comeback to salvage a league point at Redcar by taking maximum points from this weekend’s home clashes with Lakeside and the Bears, insists boss Tony Jackson.

The consolation point for losing by less than six points lifted Workington into the play-off places but Jackson was adamant that is not job done and he expects his side to continue battling for the points to make them a mainstay in the top four.

Jackson said: “We’re in the top-four now but it’s all about being in there on the cut-off date next month.

“It’s another six-pointer tonight so we need to beat Lakeside and stop them getting a league point.

“The meetings are coming thick and fast now so we’ve got to be ready.”

Rene Bach is expected to be fit to ride for Workington despite aggravating an old injury in a crash at Redcar.

Comets trailed by 13 points after 10 heats on Thursday night and were without Bach but they clawed their way back into the meeting and almost won it in the final race.

“Last night really did demonstrate the character and determination in the side and that was really pleasing to see because in past years we maybe wouldn’t have had that but this side is a little bit special,” Jackson said.

“To come back from 13 points down with five heats to go and get ourselves into a position to potentially win the match shows the resilience.

“It was soul-destroying because despite everything being thrown against us I thought we would overcome it all and win.

“We thought we were going to get a 4-2 in heat 15 because Ty Proctor had been brilliant from gate four and that would have been the comeback of the century but Lunna and Barker just team rode to keep him out of it.

“Yes, we’d have taken a point when we were 13 points down with five races left and no Rene Bach but to lose how we did was heartbreaking.”

Jackson felt the track conditions early on did not suit his team but was mystified by the decision to exclude Rasmus Jensen when he was nudged into the fence by Nike Lunna, leaving Comets with no riders in heat eight and handing Redcar an easy 5-0.

“The referee said it was Rasmus’ fault but as Rasmus pointed out he shouldn’t have to fall off to get a rerun,” Jackson said.

“That was a nine-point swing from a 5-1 with Rene and Rasmus to a 5-0 for them.”

Workington host Lakeside tonight (7pm start) then Redcar tomorrow (7.30pm start), with admission reduced by £3 for tomorrow’s meeting for supporters who bring their re-admission ticket from tonight with them.