Workington Comets cannot afford to make dropping points at home a habit if they are to climb the league table, warned manager Tony Jackson.

Comets were pegged back by Sheffield on Saturday as the Tigers overcame an eight-point deficit to win 46-44 at Derwent Park.

And Jackson believes that must be the last points they drop at home as the fixtures come thick and fast in the coming weeks and they look to reach the play-off places.

Jackson said: "It was always going to be close as Kyle Howarth and Josh Grajczonek both go so well at Derwent Park and their tails were up as they knew we were without Cookie.

"You're always going to miss someone like him, from the points he scores on the track to his influence in the team.

"They were stronger than last time and we were weaker.

"It was disappointing and we almost got it in the end but at the end of the day we only provided five race-winners and that is not enough.

"It means we've got to try to score some more points on the road to make up for it.

"To drop more points at home would be disastrous.

"We've got a lot more meetings to race than anybody else so it's been too quiet and now it's going to be too busy."

Comets' visitors on Saturday Peterborough (7pm start) will be without star man Chris Harris due to his Premiership commitments, with former Workington signing Michael Palm Toft lined up as a guest.

And Jackson is wary of the Danish rider's threat, with the Derwent Park track being a favourite of his as he showed earlier this season by beating Craig Cook on his way to a 17-point haul.

"Don't be fooled by the difference in the averages between him and Harris, he'll be looking to come and win races," he said.

The Panthers will also miss ex-Comet Simon Lambert, with Liam Carr due to ride in his place.

Meanwhile, Comets' trip to Newcastle has been moved from Sunday to Monday (7.30pm start).

Comets still feel hard done by after their controversial Knockout Cup exit at Brough Park last month and Jackson admitted it will be a tough encounter.

"Bearing in mind what happened a few weeks ago, I don't think any of our lads will be looking forward to it," he said.

"Hopefully the track's going to be in a better condition and there's going to be a better spirit of fair play in the pits."

Reserve James Sarjeant is hoping to return for the trip to Redcar on July 27 so Comets have drafted in Ben Hopwood as a guest on Saturday, with Danny Ayres coming in on Monday night.