WOLVERHAMPTON went agonisingly close to victory at Lakeside in an Elite League thriller but had to settle for a point from their 47-46 defeat on Monday.

The Parrys International Wolves hit back from a nightmare start which saw them slump to a 17-7 deficit after four races to push the home side to the limit.

Skipper Peter Karlsson was once again at his brilliant best with 16-points from six rides and Freddie Lindgren bounced back from a rare last place in the opener to notch 17+1.

Lindgren’s haul included six-points for a tactical ride in Heat 5 and he partnered brother Ludvig for a vital 5-1 maximum two races later.

The big hitters, Karlsson and Lindgren, kept Wolves in the hunt and when they carded a 4-2 in Heat 13 they were within a point of the Hammers.

But when Ludvig Lindgren was excluded from Heat 14 it handed the Hammers a matchwinning 5-1.

Lindgren and Karlsson claimed a maximum of their own to round the meeting off with Wolves having to settle for a point.

Boss Peter Adams said: “We made a shocking start but after Heat 3 we only lost one race so we deserved to get something from the meeting.

“And it’s obvious we are hurt by the absence of Tai Woffinden but we must also note the scores of riders who should be scoring more than they are.”

LAKESIDE 47: Stuart Robson 9+1, Lee Richardson 9, Piotr Swiderski 8+2, Adam Shields 8+1, Robert Mear 6+1, Kauko Nieminen 4+3, Peter Ljung 3+1.

WOLVERHAMPTON 46: Freddie Lindgren 17+1, Peter Karlsson 16, Ludvig Lindgren 5+2, Ricky Wells 5, Ty Proctor 2+1, Joe Haines 1, Tai Woffinden R/R.