CROWD favourite Chris Mills came back to the Norfolk Arena on Wednesday and played a key role in knocking the Money Centre Stars out of the KO Cup.

It was always going to be an uphill struggle for Lynn, facing a 25-point deficit from the first leg, but they could have done without Mills turning in a double-figure score.

The Stars, however, will take some heart from a battling display and will look to build on the performance in the forthcoming league campaign.

Team manager Rob Lyon praised his riders for their efforts on getting a big win on the night, but reflected: "The damage was done at Reading when we lost Kevin Doolan through injury in his first ride.

"That cost us several points and without it I'm sure we would have won overall."

Mills caused an early upset when he took the honours in Heat 1, beating guest man Billy Janniro and Shaun Tacey.

But after that it was the Stars asking the questions and forging ahead 24-12 after six races.

Reading came back with big wins in the next two – dangerman Ulrich Ostergaard going from third to first in Heat 7 to beat Rusty Harrison and John Oliver, then Mills taking Heat 8 on a double-score tactical ride.

Lynn's grasp on the trophy they had won for the last three years was now slipping.

The Stars had been hoping for 5-1 heat wins, but managed only two all night and another former rider, Tom Madsen, also dented their hopes with some fast starts.

Ostergaard lowered Topinka's colours for the only time in Heat 12 and Reading booked their place in the next round when Mark Lemon took Heat 13.

Lynn: Billy Janniro 10 (4 rides), Shaun Tacey 4+2 (4 rides), Tomas Topinka 4 (5 rides), Simon Lambert 7+1 (4 rides), Rusty Harrison 10+1 (5 rides), John Oliver 8+2 (5 rides), Kozza Smith 2 (3 rides).

Reading: Mark Lemon 5 (4 rides), Chris Mills 11+1 (5 rides), Ulrich Ostergaard 12 (6 rides), Tomas Suchanek 1 (4 rides), Tom P. Madsen 6 (4 rides), Jay Herne 0 (3 rides), Sam Martin 3 (4 rides).