Edinburgh Monarchs take one step closer to coveted play-off berth

The visitors led 42-36 with just two heats remaining at Ashfield before a 5-1 and 4-2 in favour of the hosts ensured a share of the spoils.

Monarchs No.1 Dan Thompson. Picture Jack Cupido

Nevertheless, it's another point in the right direction as the Monarchs look to cement their place in the play-offs over the next few weeks.

The Capital septet are now joint top of the Cab Direct Championship with six meetings to go, a top-four berth now firmly in their grasp.

And for Thompson, who scored 11 against his former side, the 22-year-old insists there is a real feel-good factor flowing throughout the team.

"I'm a little bit disappointed but it's another point on the road," the Englishman said. "We've shown we can travel as well, we got another draw at Workington last week, and that was a real bad performance from myself. Myself and Kye were pretty confident for the last heat having done it in heat 13, but the gates just didn't work out. Once Bomber (Chris Harris) gets out, he's pretty fast around here.

"We're solid. I don't see any reason why we would slow down now. Our away performances have been really good this season, and we've been dominant at home. Everyone is dialled in now and there is a really good atmosphere in the team and we think we can achieve some good things. I want to win the league and I don't see why we can't do that."

Monarchs now head to reigning champions the Poole Pirates on Wednesday night before Glasgow are the visitors to Armadale on Friday.

Thompson added: "They've got some riders that ride our place well, but with the way we're all dialled in now, I think we should be in for a good home meeting. That's not being complacent, we're just confident in the team."

Monarchs will assess the fitness of teenage reserve Jordy Loftus after the Australian was forced to withdraw from the meeting following an awkward spill in heat nine where he appeared to land awkwardly on his wrist.