ELITE League leaders Wolverhampton were forced to settle for a consolation point as they suffered a narrow 47-43 defeat at bottom side Leicester.

It was a frustrating night for the Parrys International Wolves who lead by four points with seven races gone.

But their Midland rivals fought back and held an eight point advantage of their own with just two races to go.

A 5-1 from Sam Masters and Jacob Thorssell in the penultimate race took the encounter down to a last heat decider.

A second consecutive maximum would have seen the Wolves snatch a last gasp draw, however all hopes were ended when Thorssell fell in the original staging.

The re-run saw Masters take the chequered flag as the Monmore men added a solitary point to their league tally.

Team manager Peter Adams was keen to focus on the positives ahead of a busy week for his side.

Said Adams: "This was our first of four big meetings in an important spell for the team and a point certainly gives us something to build on.

"It adds what could be another crucial point to our total and we've extended our lead at the top.

"Just because Leicester are bottom of the league, it doesn't make it any easier; they always seem to run the opposition close here and so that proved again tonight.

"They've probably got the strongest reserve pairing in the league and I think the scores in that area of the team were the separating factor tonight.

"We'll take the positives from tonight and we'll be looking to take another three points off them at home on Monday."

Aussie ace Masters shone for the Parrys International Wolves as he bagged five wins from six outings against his former club.

Jacob Thorssell enjoyed another impressive display around the Beaumont Park circuit while Scott Nicholls proved to be the right guest replacement for Joonas Kylmakorpi as he scored paid double figures also.

Peter Karlsson endured another tough night in the main body of the team while reserves Kyle Howarth and Max Clegg were outscored 17-4 by their Leicester counterparts.

The Parrys International Wolves will be looking to gain revenge over the Lions when the two meet again at Monmore Green on Monday (7.30).

LEICESTER 47: Patrick Hougaard 11, Paul Starke 9, Ludvig Lindgren 8+2, Szymon Wozniak 7+3, Aaron Summers 7+1, Nicolai Klindt 3+1, Josh Auty 2+1.

WOLVERHAMPTON 43: Sam Masters 15, Jacob Thorssell 12+1, Scott Nicholls 9+2, Peter Karlsson 3, Kyle Howarth 3, Max Clegg 1, Fredrik Lindgren R/R.

Picture: STEVE DIXON