Plymouth Devils boss Mike Bowden has promised fans that team changes are imminent after a spat with supporters during his side's second home defeat of the season against Newport Hornets on Friday.

The Hornets, having humiliated the Devils in the Knockout Cup, rubbed further salt into the wound with a 48-41 National League victory at St Boniface Arena.

Some of the Devils' supporters were clearly not happy with proceedings, and let Bowden know it.

"We have riders who aren't doing the job for which they were employed," Bowden said. "I am looking at one, possibly two, changes to the team.

"Fair play to Newport, but we have lost four points which may be very valuable to us at the end of the season."

While Bowden declined to name names, he is keen to make changes to his squad in time for this Friday's home National League clash with Scunthorpe.

One of the Devils' new boys, Matt Wright, was signed up by Mildenhall last week, allowing former Plymouth rider Matt Bates to move in the opposite direction. Bates, a spectator on Friday night, will almost certainly ride against Scunthorpe.

David Gough, another ex-Devil who has come out of voluntary exile, is also tipped to be in the frame.

Bowden said he may release two more of his starting seven. That would potentially leave another slot in the Devils' line-up. It may be significant that one of the spectators on Friday night was former Plymouth favourite Nicky Glanz, who has been out of action for 18 months following a serious shoulder injury.

Seemond Stephens played a captain's role for the Devils, winning a trio of heats. Just behind him was the improving Paul Starke, who also won three heats. But the Devon side were never at the races, failing to win until heat nine when they pulled back to within four points at 29-25.

The Devils got even closer, 40-37, after Stephens grabbed what could have been a crucial win in heat 13. But they lost the last two heats 4-2 to slip to their third defeat to Newport this season.