WOLVERHAMPTON put in a battling performance before eventually going down to a fourteen-point Elite League defeat at Poole on Wednesday.

But the final scoreline wasn't a true reflection of the effort Wolves put into the match as they gave the championship chasers a real scare for much of the evening.

They twice led in the first half of the meeting "“ 8-4 after Heat 2 and again 25-23 following Heat 8. And they could have been even further in front but for Ty Proctor making a mistake when on a 5-1 with the impressive Jacob Thorssell in that eighth race, which allowed Ricky Kling to split the visiting pair.

The visiting Parrys International Wolves supporters probably even dared to dream at one stage that their long wait for an away win was about to end, but the Pirates were stronger in the closing races with their powerful heat-leader trio of Krzysztof Kasprzak, Chris Holder and Darcy Ward appearing in six of the final seven heats.

That proved decisive in the final analysis, but Wolverhampton can take pride from their night's work despite heading home empty-handed.

Skipper Freddie Lindgren had some good rides in his 11 point score "“ including a breathtaking overtake in Heat 15 that ended Kasprzak's maximum "“ plus Thorssell had his best night in British speedway with an excellent 8+2 showing.

The Swedish reserve looked competitive all evening and fully-deserved the additional outing he was given late on.

POOLE 52: Krzysztof Kasprzak 13+1, Chris Holder 11+1, Darcy Ward 9+2, Dennis Andersson 9, Ricky Kling 7+1, Ludvig Lindgren 3+1, Linus Eklof 0.

WOLVERHAMPTON 38: Freddie Lindgren 11, Jacob Thorssell 8+2, Nicolai Klindt 6, Pontus Aspgren 4+1, Tai Woffinden 4+1, Ricky Wells 3+1, Ty Proctor 2+1.