Charley Powell has been told not to finish last when he races for Eastbourne Eagles.

But the improving reserve reckons he can do a bit more than that after finding his feet in the National League.

Powell admits he expected to hit the ground running when he came into the Eagles side at the start of the season. Instead, he just hit the ground – on too frequent a basis.

Now, after mechanical improvements and plenty of practice, he is in fine form going into tonight’s home clash with Rye House (7.30pm).

Powell has been back out practising at Iwade in Kent with team boss Connor Dugard and is becoming a handy source of points.

He told The Argus: “I struggled at the beginning of the season. I thought I was going to go in and just be able to do it. It obviously didn’t turn out like that. It played on my mind and got me down a bit.

“But, in the last two meetings at home, I’ve scored paid-ten and paid-nine and I had paid-eight at Rye House. I didn’t score at Birmingham but I might actually have ridden better there than any of the others. It was just one of those nights.

“I had problems at the beginning of the year. The bike was twisted, there were funny bits in the engine I didn’t know about. Now it all seems to be coming together. I’m gating better. Passing doesn’t bother me. I enjoy it.

“I’m trying to ride with my head and Connor’s key is, ‘Don’t finish last’. If your riders don’t finish last, you can’t lose a meeting.”

Dugard plans to keep faith with Powell and Luke Harris in the reserve berths, despite the availability of young Tom Brennan from early next month.

Eagles again make changes tonight with Adam Ellis, Gary Cottham and Ellis Perks all ruled out. Ellis, who hopes to race in the World Under-21 Championships at King’s Lynn after recovering from a broken collarbone, is replaced by Dan Greenwood.

Kelsey Dugard returns to Eagles colours as guest for Cottham, who also has a broken collarbone.

Eagles use rider-replacement to cover for Perks, who has a Premier League commitment with Plymouth.

They hope to see Ellis back at Arlington next Sunday at home to King’s Lynn.

Eagles would have loved to have had him tonight to help combat the powerful Raiders top two of Ben Morley and Rob Branford. Third heat-leader Luke Priest is also going well for the Hertfordshire track.

Connor Dugard will target 3-3s against the Rye House top guns and look to profit elsewhere on the racecard.

He said: “We must then score heat advantages in the reserves’ and second-string heats. That is what will bring us the victory.

“Although injuries are forcing us to make changes, everyone is gelling well together. We feel it is all on an upward trajectory in what is proving to be a highly competitive National League this year.”