WOLVERHAMPTON'S Knockout Cup hopes are on a knife-edge after a hard fought 51-43 first leg win over rivals Coventry at Monmore on Monday.

Parrys International Wolves looked to be in a comfortable position after seeing off two tactical rides by the Bees, but the visitors staged a storming recovery to set the tie up beautifully for the return on August 25.

Freddie Lindgren top scored with 12+1 for the Monmore men and Polish star Adam Skornicki carded 12 before missing out on a Heat 15 appearance with worries over his knee after earlier falling performing one of his trademark donut celebrations.

Wolves were 14-points clear at the interval which was taken with just three races to go after rain had been threatening - but the Bees were able to claw back six more points over the last three races.

Nicolai Klindt was missing through injury for Wolverhampton and his four programmed rides gleaned only four-points. He's due to see laser treatment specialist Brian Simpson this week in a bid to speed up his recovery from a shoulder injury.

Skipper Tai Woffinden said: "We should have seen them off a lot better than we did but we can still go through at their place."

WOLVERHAMPTON 51: Freddie Lindgren 12+1, Adam Skornicki 12, Tai Woffinden 10, Ty Proctor 7+2, Ludvig Lindgren 7+1, Matt Wethers 3+1, Nicolai Klindt R/R.

COVENTRY 43: Krzysztof Kasprzak 11+1, Chris Harris 10+1, Ben Barker 6, Edward Kennett 5+2, Josh Auty 4+1, Przemyslaw Pawlicki 4, Lewis Bridger 3+1.