WOLVERHAMPTON skipper Rory Schlein admitted their opponents were "˜much sharper' away from the starts as they suffered a 54-36 defeat at King's Lynn.

It was a tough night in Norfolk for the Parrys International Wolves, despite breaking the deadlock at the first attempt.

Wolves gated on a 5-1 in the opener before both King's Lynn riders got past Luke Becker by the entry to lap two.

But the American was on hand to take full advantage of machinery problems for home guest Josh Grajczonek as the visitors started with a heat advantage with Jacob Thorssell taking a comfortable victory.

Mechanical gremlins would strike the hosts again in Heat Three when vice-captain Lewis Kerr broke down whilst on a 5-1, but falls for Wolves reserve Ryan Douglas in Heats
Two and Four, whilst in points scoring positions, proved damaging and appeared to give the Norfolk outfit a boost.

On a track that offered little, if any, opportunities to pass, gating was always going to be of high importance.

But Peter Adams' side were outgated for the majority of the clash and even when one of his side were able to hit the front, they rarely received the needed support in terms of minor placings.

Wolves did briefly halve the deficit with a sole maximum in Heat Seven when Nick Morris and Schlein made a quick getaway, but the hosts responded instantly with two 5-1s of their own to move 12-points in front.

There was still a feint glimmer of hope of registering a consolation point late on, but King's Lynn fired in two final maximums to power on to victory and send Wolves back to the Midlands empty handed.

"It's a hard place to come to, even when they're in a depleted sort of way without Robert (Lambert)," Schlein said.

"We had track conditions where you had to get it right from the starts.

"Even in my last one I thought I was quicker than their two out front but you just couldn't build up enough momentum to get past.

"That's how it is here though; there's not much passing and it's all about gating and they were much sharper in that department it's as simple as that.

"We're disappointed of course we are, because we came here for the win, but we'll keep fighting and it's not over until the fat lady sings."

Wolves head to Belle Vue on Monday (7.30) for another crucial Premiership fixture.

KING'S LYNN 54: Thomas Jorgensen 14+1, Erik Riss 11+1, Lewis Kerr 10+4, Craig Cook 10, Michael Palm Toft 7+1, Nicklas Porsing 2, Josh Grajczonek 0.
WOLVERHAMPTON 36: Rory Schlein 11+1, Jacob Thorssell 9, Sam Masters 6+1, Jason Garrity 5+1, Nick Morris 3, Luke Becker 2, Ryan Douglas 0.