KINGSWINFORD'S Michael Rutter slipped out of the top four in the British Superbikes Championship standings after the fifth round at Donnington Park.

Fresh from his success at the North West 200, Rutter had high hopes going into race one as he had qualified third on the grid and was close to taking his first pole of the season.

But in a frustrating race Rutter could not find the same kind of pace.

Despite his place on the front row, the speedster slipped back through the field and eventually had to settle for an eighth place finish.

The second race was a carbon copy with Rutter again having to settle for eighth.

Rutter had gone into Donnington in fourth place on 66 points.

His two eighth-placed finishes earned him 16 points but saw him slip to sixth in the standings.

He remains in sight of third place Leon Camier who is 25 points ahead of him.

But Byrne is now a massive 108 points clear.

Having had three races in the last three weeks, Rutter will have the next two weekends off with the Championship resuming at Snetterton on June 15.