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| |  | BIRMINGHAM boss Graham Drury insists their Knockout Cup tie with Plymouth is far from over despite losing Wednesday's home leg 47-43.
It was a first defeat in competitive fixtures at Perry Barr since October 2015 for the Surestop Brummies who now require an inspired performance at the St. Boniface Arena on Thursday (7.15).
Birmingham opened up an early two point advantage with a 4-2 and maintained their lead when David Mason took the chequered flag in heat three.
But that would be the final time the Brummies led in the meeting and simply found the strength of Plymouth's top duo too much, as Adam Roynon and Steve Boxall dropped just four points between them to the hosts.
"Nobody can take anything away from Plymouth tonight; they were the better side and they deserved the win," Drury said.
"Adam Roynon and Steve Boxall were superb and they received good back up from other members of their team so fair play to them.
"A few of our riders had below par nights but the performances of Liam Carr, Taylor Hampshire and David Mason in particular were positives to come out of it.
"Of course we're not happy with losing this first leg - but I guess it's the old adage where it's only half time.
"We have to go to Plymouth tomorrow in a positive frame of mind, attack the meeting and give it our best go."
Liam Carr, still struggling with arm and rib injuries sustained last week, top scored for the Brummies and was the only home rider to finish ahead of Roynon and Boxall.
Taylor Hampshire built on an impressive guest booking last week by producing a brilliant display on his full debut for Birmingham, scoring paid double figures once again, and was awarded the Ductair Electrics Ltd Rider of the Night Award.
Recent recruit David Mason enjoyed another solid night at Perry Barr while Layne Cupitt provided a steady contribution at No.2.
Despite winning Heat 10, it was another tough night at No.1 for Jack Parkinson-Blackburn as he continues to get up to speed following his recent period of inactivity.
Tom Bacon's night was hampered by two tapes offences in his opening outings while Macauley Leek was unable to make any real impact as a guest reserve.
The Brummies head to Plymouth on Thursday without Mason who is missing due to a prior commitment arranged before he signed for Birmingham with Kean Dicken coming in at reserve.
WEDNESDAY SCORERS
BIRMINGHAM 43: Liam Carr 12, Taylor Hampshire 8+2, David Mason 8+1, Layne Cupitt 5+1, Jack Parkinson-Blackburn 5, Tom Bacon 4+1, Macauley Leek 1.
PLYMOUTH 47: Adam Roynon 14, Steve Boxall 11+1, Benji Compton 8+1, Henry Atkins 6+2, Richard Andrews 4, Callum Walker 3, William O'Keefe 1.
THURSDAY'S TEAMS:
PLYMOUTH: Steve Boxall, Richard Andrews, Benji Compton, Henry Atkins, Adam Roynon, William O'Keefe, Callum Walker.
BIRMINGHAM: Jack Parkinson-Blackburn, David Mason R/R, Layne Cupitt, Tom Bacon, Liam Carr, Kean Dicken, Taylor Hampshire.
Picture: STEVE FEENEY
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