WOLVERHAMPTON held off a late Eastbourne rally to secure a vital Elite League away victory at Arlington.

The Parrys International Wolves raced into a 22-8 lead with a blistering opening to the meeting, scoring three 5-1s in the first four heats, but they had to keep their nerve in the later stages in what became a pressure-cooker atmosphere.

There were two spectacular accidents with Freddie Lindgren tangling with home skipper Cameron Woodward in Heat 5, the Eagles man going over the fence - and although the Aussie raced on for a time, he was unable to take his place in his last ride.

Then Lindgren's younger brother Ludvig walked away from a crash on the way to the first bend of Heat 8 with Dawid Lampart, who sustained a suspected broken collarbone.

Wolves held a comfortable 34-23 advantage with five heats to go, but the Eagles then mounted a comeback with reserve Ricky Kling at the centre of their revival, although he collected a disqualification for bringing down Freddie Lindgren in Heat 11.

Two Eastbourne 5-1s slashed the Wolves lead to three points, and although the home side could only field one rider in Heat 14 it was that man Kling who took the flag to set up a last heat decider.

Matej Zagar held the lead for the Eagles but, crucially, Lindgren and skipper Tai Woffinden moved clear of Kling in the early stages, and held on for a 3-3 which ensured Wolves' victory - and moves them to within one point of second-placed Lakeside.

EASTBOURNE: Matej Zagar 15, Ricky Kling 13, Lukas Dryml 6+1, Simon Gustafssom 5+1, Joonas Kylmakorpi 4+1, Cameron Woodward 1, Dawid Lampart 1.

WOLVES: Freddie Lindgren 12+1, Tai Woffinden 9+1, Adam Skornicki 7, Ludvig Lindgren 6+3, Nicolai Klindt 5+2, Ty Proctor 5+1, Joe Haines 4+1.